Illinois state Sen. Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield). | Facebook
Illinois state Sen. Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield). | Facebook
Illinois state Sen. Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) sponsored legislation Senate Bill 346 (SB346) to help prevent poor dental health among children and teens by allowing preventative dental services in schools.
Morrison said preventing dental issues is important because it can cause lifelong health consequences.
"Routine dental care isn’t just about appearance — it’s about overall health and well-being that can affect every part of a child’s life," Morrison said in an April 13 Facebook post. "It’s time we treat dental care like other preventative health care."
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 20% of kids between the ages of 5 and 11, and approximately 13% of teens between the ages 12 and 19, have one untreated cavity. The CDC also said that children with poor dental health miss more school days and receive lower grades in school than those children who do not have dental health problems.
Under the measure of SB 346, school-based dental programs, such as teeth cleanings and out-of-office preventative measures, could be put in place by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services.
Senate Bill 346 was passed in the Senate Health Committee, and will future go on to the Senate for consideration.
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