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Children's Dental Health Improvement Act of 2001

Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 107-539.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Nov 1, 2001

Children's Dental Health Improvement Act of 2001 - Amends title V (Maternal and Child Health Services) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to States to improve dental services to children enrolled in a State plan under title XIX (Medicaid) or title XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program) (SCHIP).Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish a grant program for eligible entities and individuals (including Indian tribes) to expand the availability of primary dental care services where necessary. Offers retention bonuses for eligible dental officers of the Indian Health Service. Revises the process for designating dental health professional shortage areas.Directs the Secretary to establish: (1) demonstration projects to increase access to dental services for children in underserved areas; (2) an oral health initiative to reduce disparities in oral health, targeting low-income children and including community water fluoridation and dental sealants; and (3) a Chief Dental Officer for the Medicaid and State children's health insurance programs.Requires the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to annually collect data on the dental, craniofacial, and oral health of residents of at least one State and one Indian tribe from each region.Requires the Secretary to identify populations at high risk for early childhood caries and provide for the development of prevention programs.Revises the eligibility requirements for the school-based dental sealant program to include Indian tribes.

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Who introduced it

Sen. Bingaman, Jeff [D-NM] · D–NM

Committees

  • Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee
  • Finance Committee
21 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 107-539.

  2. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S11382-11384)

  3. Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S11380-11382, S11384-11385)

  4. Introduced in Senate

Bill text & related measures

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Related bills identified by Congress.gov

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Source last updated: Aug 19, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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