Collins advocates for bipartisan Oral Health Literacy and Awareness Act

U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) on Nov. 29 voiced support for a bipartisan bill she introduced to promote dental healthcare services and improve health outcomes among Americans living in underserved communities.

“By improving education regarding dental care, this bipartisan bill would help to build a lifetime of healthy habits and avoid more costly interventions down the road,” Sen. Collins said.

The Oral Health Literacy and Awareness Act of 2022, S. 5073, which Sen. Collins cosponsored on Oct. 11 with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), would authorize the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration to develop and implement an evidence-based outreach strategy to promote oral health literacy in rural and underserved communities. 

Additionally, S. 5073 would create a five-year oral health literacy campaign, as well as another program to ensure children develop and maintain healthy oral habits into adulthood, according to a bill summary provided by Sen. Collins’ office.

Sen. Luján pointed out that the separate educational programs created under S. 5073 “will instill good dental practices for children and adults, ensuring they are set up for a long lifetime with healthy dental habits and ultimately lower costs for families.”

“Proper oral hygiene is not only key to promoting dental health, but it can also contribute to overall health as well,” said Sen. Collins. “The Oral Health Literacy and Awareness Act of 2022 would identify strategies to increase dental services in rural and underserved communities.”

The Academy of General Dentistry supports the measure, which has been under consideration in the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee since its introduction in October.