Luján, Cardin, Collins, Cárdenas, and Bilirakis, Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Oral Health Literacy and Awareness Act

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), and Susan Collins (R-ME) alongside U.S. Representatives Tony Cárdenas (D-Calif.) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) reintroduced the bipartisan Oral Health Literacy and Awareness Act of 2023 which directs the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to develop an oral health literacy strategy to reach underserved communities. This bipartisan bill aims to curb the rise in oral disease and related illnesses by providing prevention education through a five-year oral health literacy campaign.

“Across the country, far too many Americans suffer from oral-related illnesses. That’s why it’s critical to promote oral health literacy which can improve oral health and prevent complications and costly medical bills down the road,” said Senator Luján. “I am proud to re-introduce the Oral Health Literacy and Awareness Act to implement and increase oral health awareness in underserved communities. This bipartisan legislation will establish educational programs to instill good dental practices among children and adults to help minimize oral health conditions, lower costs, and bridge health disparities.”  

“Good oral health is essential to overall health, but it is still out of reach for too many Marylanders and others across the country,”said Senator Cardin. “As we continue our work to expand access to care, we also need to spread the word so that every person in this country knows how they can access essential dental care and how important it is to see a dental professional regularly.”

“The Oral Health Literacy and Awareness Act of 2023 would address the need to improve and increase dental services in rural and underserved communities,” said Senator Collins. “Proper oral hygiene is not only key to promoting dental health, but it can also contribute to overall health. By improving dental care education, this bipartisan bill would help to build a lifetime of healthy habits and avoid more costly interventions down the road.”

“Millions of Americans don’t seek oral health care because they aren’t aware of the long-term consequences for their physical health and financial well-being,” said Congressman Cárdenas. “Oral health illnesses can often lead to more serious physical health issues down the road. These diseases can keep working families away from their jobs and disrupt kids in the classroom. Our bill focuses on educating underserved communities about the importance of oral and dental health and improving overall patient outcomes.”

“Oral health is a vital component of overall wellness that is too often overlooked. As with many aspects of healthcare, prevention is key to long-term health. Lack of good oral hygiene has been proven to exacerbate chronic health conditions and contributes to costly, yet preventable, emergency care,” said Congressman Bilirakis. “I am proud to be a part of this initiative to raise awareness about the proactive steps that can be taken to improve oral healthcare as I believe it will improve patient outcomes.”

The CDC estimates that one in 10 adults in the United States find written material on health inaccessible and complicated – and oral health is no exception. Oral health also affects more than just physical health – it can impact work and school, decreasing overall quality of life for many Americans, especially those in underserved communities. 

Illnesses related to oral health have resulted in 6.1 million days of bed disability, 12.7 million days of restricted activity and 20.5 million lost workdays each year, significantly impacting children, the elderly and other vulnerable populations. Tooth decay is the most common chronic illness among school-age youth, affecting roughly one in 4 children. In 2012, almost one in five Americans 65 and older had untreated cavities, and over 40% had gum disease. However, most oral health ailments can be avoided by increasing oral health literacy among all populations, with an emphasis on children to ensure they develop and maintain healthy habits into adulthood.

The Oral Health Literacy and Awareness Act is endorsed by the Academy of General Dentistry, American College of Prosthodontists, American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research, American Student Dental Association, American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, American Association of Endodontists, American Association of Orthodontists, American Dental Association, American Society of Dental Anesthesiologists, American Academy of Periodontology, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and Delta Dental Plans Association.

Full text of the legislation can be found HERE.

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