Reps. Darany, Kowall, Barnett, Brown, Cavanagh, Durhal, Heise, Kandrevas, Lipton, McCann, Potvin, Roberts and Slavens offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 212.

            A resolution to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the chartering of the Michigan Dental Hygienists Association.

Whereas, The Michigan Dental Hygienists Association was established in 1923 and is now celebrating its 90th anniversary; and

Whereas, The mission of the Michigan Dental Hygienists Association is to improve the public's overall health by advancing the art and science of dental hygiene to promote the highest standards of education, licensure, research, and practice; and

Whereas, The organization began with nine members and is now the largest professional dental hygiene organization in Michigan, with more than 10,000 dental hygienists currently licensed.  The Michigan Dental Hygienists Association has. for its entire 90 year history, supported public policy to improve access and quality preventive oral health care services; and   

Whereas, Dr. Russell W. Bunting, DDS, Dean of the School of Dentistry at the University of Michigan, initiated dental hygiene education at that institution in 1921.  For his staunch support, he became known as the “Father of the Michigan Dental Hygiene Movement”. The University of Michigan began offering a baccalaureate degree in dental hygiene in 1939. Ferris State University became the second accredited dental hygiene program in the United States not affiliated with a dental school with its founding in 1965 and its first class graduating in 1967; and

Whereas, Michigan has always been a leader in promoting oral health. In 1945, Grand Rapids became the first community in the world to add fluoride to its community water for prevention of dental cavities. In addition, Michigan now boasts 13 nationally accredited dental hygiene programs; and

Whereas, The first public act instituting licensure in Michigan for dental hygiene was passed in 1923, containing educational standards and providing for enforcement with administrative rules to be determined by the Board of Dentistry; and

Whereas, The Michigan Dental Hygienists Association has been active legislatively by advocating for the passage of laws improving public health. Public Act 58 of 1991 waived the requirement that a licensed dentist “assign” patients to a dental hygienist. This allowed the patient to be seen first by the registered dental hygienist in certain public health settings. Public Act 80 of 1993 established continuing education as a requirement for licensure renewal. Public Act 160 of 2000 added two additional dental hygienists to the Michigan Board of Dentistry. Public Act 161 of 2005 expanded access to individuals by allowing certain entities and public schools to be considered public health settings; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body commemorate the 90th anniversary of the chartering of the Michigan Dental Hygienists Association. We commend the members for their valuable contribution to accessible, high-quality oral health care for the people of Michigan; and be it further

Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the Michigan Dental Hygienists Association members of the association as a reflection of our admiration.