Mark Kirk: “I rise to speak to issues regarding the Great Lakes dental facility activity and the need for the high-speed…”

“I rise to speak to issues regarding the Great Lakes dental facility activity and the need for the high-speed anti-radiation missile. Mr. Chairman, the Great Lakes facility, in my district, is home to the military dental research program, a joint venture of the Navy and Army. In fiscal year 2001, the Congress provided $4 million for this program. The research done at this laboratory is unique and not duplicated by any other federal or civilian research program. It focuses on keeping our nation's troops orally healthy and prepared for active duty at all times. Because of funding provided by Congress and your Committee, the dental researchers have been able to develop: a combat face shield to prevent head and neck casualties; dental materials which can be used in harsh military environments; and an anti-plaque agent to prevent dental diseases during military deployments. Recent figures from Bosnia showed that there was a dental emergency rate of 15.6 percent for deployed personnel. A dental emergency is when active duty personnel are out of action due to an oral condition. Evacuating soldiers because of severe oral conditions can be very expensive . . . costing thousands of dollars. Therefore, the researchers' goal is to keep the troops in good oral health and to perform treatment on site. Research underway today is also focusing on trying to prevent such emergencies from happening.”