WHEREAS, 65,000 children in this region alone have not seen a dentist in over a year; and
WHEREAS, A healthy mouth is critical to our everyday activities and all children, families and individuals can take steps to protect and prolong dental health by securing regular dental care; and
WHEREAS, Give Kids A Smile Day was established in 2002 by the American Dental Association and since 2004 Public Citizens for Children and Youth has helped over 3,200 children receive free dental care in offices around this region and many of those children lack dental insurance; and
WHEREAS, There are 24,000 children in Pennsylvania, many of whom live in this region, who are not eligible for health insurance because of their legal status in this country and free dental care is only a temporary solution to an ongoing public health issue that can be resolved by legislative change; and
WHEREAS, At the 2015 Give Kids A Smile Day Event, over 350 children registered and all those without health insurance were offered assistance to apply for coverage; and
WHEREAS, Volunteers from around Philadelphia participate in Give Kids A Smile Day to register children for dental appointments and provide language interpretation whenever needed to ensure care is accessible for all; and
WHEREAS, From March 22 to the 25 free dental care will be offered to children 1 to 18 years old in participating dental offices located in Philadelphia, Delaware and Montgomery Counties; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, THAT WE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby declare the week of March 21st to be Give Kids a Smile Week in Philadelphia and call to have children in need to get a dental exam and to take advantage of the services offered at Give Kids a Smile Day.
End