As we head into the second half of May, we hope everyone takes time to recognize and celebrate National Dental Care Month. This month-long celebration is a chance for oral health professionals, parents, teachers, advocates, and community members to build awareness about the importance of preventive dental care for individuals of all ages.   Key factors of maintaining good overall health throughout our childhood and adulthood include establishing positive oral hygiene habits and receiving routine dental care. Routine care allows for early detection of issues that display in the mouth and helps [...]

State Update Kentucky continues to make strides towards reducing the youth and teen use of e-cigarette products. The Kentucky House took an important step by passing Senate Bill 56, sponsored by Senator Ralph Alvarado, which codifies in state law the legal purchase age of tobacco products to 21 and removes penalties for youth under age 21 for purchase, use, and possession of tobacco products. This Blueprint for Kentucky's Children priority bill was just signed into [...]

In the final week of the U.S. Congressional session, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced inclusion of the bipartisan legislation, Tobacco-Free Youth Act, in the year-end funding bill. The Tobacco-Free Youth Act raises the minimum legal sale age of tobacco products across the country, including cigarettes and e-cigarettes, from 18 to 21. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) is providing more details to ensure retailers comply. Passage of this federal spending bill will have [...]