Oral Health Literacy and Awareness Act of 2023

12/15/2023, 4:05 PM

Summary of Bill S 403

Bill 118 s 403, also known as the Oral Health Literacy and Awareness Act of 2023, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress with the aim of promoting oral health education and awareness among the general public. The bill seeks to address the issue of inadequate oral health literacy, which can lead to poor oral health outcomes and increased healthcare costs.

The key provisions of the bill include the establishment of a national oral health literacy campaign, which would be tasked with developing and disseminating educational materials on oral health topics such as proper brushing and flossing techniques, the importance of regular dental check-ups, and the link between oral health and overall health. The campaign would also work to raise awareness about the availability of dental services and resources in underserved communities.

Additionally, the bill calls for the implementation of oral health literacy programs in schools, community centers, and other public settings to ensure that individuals of all ages have access to accurate and up-to-date information about oral health. These programs would be designed to be culturally and linguistically appropriate, taking into account the diverse needs of different populations. Furthermore, the bill includes provisions for the evaluation of existing oral health literacy programs and the development of best practices for promoting oral health literacy. It also calls for the establishment of a national advisory committee on oral health literacy to provide guidance and recommendations to policymakers and stakeholders. Overall, the Oral Health Literacy and Awareness Act of 2023 aims to improve oral health outcomes and reduce disparities in access to dental care by increasing public knowledge and understanding of oral health issues. By promoting oral health literacy, the bill seeks to empower individuals to take control of their oral health and make informed decisions about their dental care.

Congressional Summary of S 403

Oral Health Literacy and Awareness Act of 2023

This bill requires the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to conduct a public education campaign to increase oral health literacy and awareness. HRSA must design the campaign to focus on children, pregnant women, parents, older adults, people with disabilities, and racial and ethnic minorities.

Current Status of Bill S 403

Bill S 403 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since February 14, 2023. Bill S 403 was introduced during Congress 118 and was introduced to the Senate on February 14, 2023.  Bill S 403's most recent activity was Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. as of February 14, 2023

Bipartisan Support of Bill S 403

Total Number of Sponsors
1
Democrat Sponsors
1
Republican Sponsors
0
Unaffiliated Sponsors
0
Total Number of Cosponsors
0
Democrat Cosponsors
0
Republican Cosponsors
0
Unaffiliated Cosponsors
0

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill S 403

Primary Policy Focus

Health
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