SLS 18RS-2244 ORIGINAL
2018 Regular Session
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 78
BY SENATOR MILLS
SPECIAL DAY/WEEK/MONTH. Recognizes Tuesday, April 10, 2018, as Dental Hygiene
Day and commends the Louisiana Dental Hygienists' Association on celebrating 105 years
of Dental Hygienists Profession.
1 A RESOLUTION
2 To recognize Tuesday, April 10, 2018, as Dental Hygiene Day and to commend the
3 Louisiana Dental Hygienists' Association upon the celebration of one hundred five
4 years of the dental hygienists profession.
5 WHEREAS, April 10, 2018, has been designated as Dental Hygiene Day in the state;
6 and
7 WHEREAS, 2018 marks the one hundred fifth anniversary of dental hygiene with
8 the opening of the first dental hygiene school by Dr. Alfred C. Fones in Bridgeport,
9 Connecticut; and
10 WHEREAS, a dental hygienist is a preventive oral health professional licensed in
11 dental hygiene who provides educational, clinical, and therapeutic services supporting total
12 healthcare through the promotion of optimal oral health; and
13 WHEREAS, the education of a dental hygienist emphasizes all of the basic sciences
14 and eligibility for licensure based upon successful completion of both a written National
15 Board Dental Hygiene Examination and a clinical state board examination; and
16 WHEREAS, dental hygienists are committed to maintaining the highest levels of
17 quality and to keeping abreast of the most advanced technology in their field, as they
18 advocate continuing education courses in oral healthcare to maintain their licenses and to
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SLS 18RS-2244 ORIGINAL
1 ensure that they provide state-of-the-art oral hygiene to their patients; and
2 WHEREAS, a dental hygienist is a vital member of a complete dental team and is
3 responsible for providing treatment that helps to prevent oral disease and for educating the
4 patient to maintain optimal oral health in order to prevent such oral diseases; and
5 WHEREAS, for over one hundred years, registered dental hygienists have provided
6 quality preventive oral healthcare to millions of American adults and children; and
7 WHEREAS, dental hygienists have also established a record of excellence in
8 providing quality care for those patients with special needs; and
9 WHEREAS, there are approximately one thousand six hundred licensed dental
10 hygienists serving the oral healthcare needs of the people of the state of Louisiana alone; and
11 WHEREAS, the month of October is designated as Dental Hygiene Month, focusing
12 on the preventive benefits of good oral hygiene; and
13 WHEREAS, the Louisiana Dental Hygienists' Association, along with other dental
14 professions, celebrated Children's Dental Health Month in February, which focused on the
15 needs of dental care for the children of the state of Louisiana; and
16 WHEREAS, it is appropriate to recognize dental hygienists and to encourage citizens
17 to become familiar with and appreciative of the benefits of good dental hygiene.
18 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
19 does hereby recognize April 10, 2018, as Dental Hygiene Day in the state, commend the
20 Louisiana Dental Hygienists' Association upon the celebration of one hundred five years of
21 the dental hygienist's profession, and commend the dental hygienists around Louisiana for
22 their tireless efforts in promoting good dental health for the citizens of the state.
23 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
24 Louisiana Dental Hygienists' Association.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Jerry J. Guillot.
DIGEST
SR 78 Original 2018 Regular Session Mills
Recognizes April 10, 2018, as Dental Hygiene Day in the state, commends the La. Dental
Hygienists' Association upon the celebration of 105 years of the dental hygienists profession,
and commends the dental hygienists around Louisiana for their tireless efforts in promoting
good dental health for the citizens of the state.
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