ENROLLED
2016 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 41
BY REPRESENTATIVE HOFFMANN
A RESOLUTION
To designate Thursday, April 7, 2016, as Dental Hygiene Day at the state capitol, to
commend the Louisiana Dental Hygienists' Association, and to celebrate one
hundred three years of the dental hygiene profession.
WHEREAS, 2016 marks the celebration of one hundred three years of the dental
hygiene profession, which began with the opening of the first dental hygiene school by Dr.
Alfred C. Fones in Bridgeport, Connecticut; and
WHEREAS, a dental hygienist is a preventive oral health professional licensed in
dental hygiene who provides educational, clinical, and therapeutic services supporting total
oral health care through the promotion of optimal oral health; and
WHEREAS, the education of a dental hygienist emphasizes all of the basic sciences,
and eligibility for licensure is based upon successful completion of both a written national
board dental hygiene examination and a clinical state board examination; and
WHEREAS, dental hygienists are committed to maintaining the highest levels of
quality care and to keeping abreast of the most advanced technology in their field; they
attend continuing education courses in oral health care to maintain their licenses and to
ensure that they provide state-of-the-art oral hygiene to their patients; and
WHEREAS, a dental hygienist is a vital member of a complete dental team and is
responsible for providing treatment that helps to prevent oral disease and for educating the
patient on how to maintain optimal oral health; and
WHEREAS, registered dental hygienists provide quality preventive oral health care
to millions of American adults and children; and
WHEREAS, dental hygienists have also established a record of excellence in
providing quality care for those patients with special needs; and
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WHEREAS, there are approximately one thousand six hundred licensed dental
hygienists serving the oral health care needs of the people of the state of Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, the month of October is designated as Dental Hygiene Month, focusing
on the preventive benefits of good oral hygiene; and
WHEREAS, the Louisiana Dental Hygienists' Association, along with other dental
professions, celebrate Children's Dental Health Month in February, which focuses on the
needs of dental care for the children of the state of Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, it is appropriate to recognize dental hygienists and to encourage citizens
to become familiar with and appreciative of the benefits of good dental hygiene.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby designate Thursday, April 7, 2016, as Dental Hygiene
Day at the state capitol; does hereby commend the Louisiana Dental Hygienists' Association
and dental hygienists in Louisiana for their tireless efforts in promoting good dental health
for the citizens of the state; and does hereby celebrate one hundred three years of the dental
hygiene profession.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted
to the Louisiana Dental Hygienists' Association.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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