BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA A PROCLAMAT ION DENTAL HYGIENISTS DAY WHEREAS : Dental hygienists, as licensed oral healthcare professionals, actively promote oral health care and prevention of oral disease. Georgia currently has 6,83 5 reg istered dental hyg ien ists; and WHEREAS : As preventative specialists, dental hygienists contribute to the oral health of Georgia residents and provide an essential service contributing to their total health; and WHEREAS: Dental hyg ienists give their t ime and effort in order to provide oral healthcare to individuals of need, such as ch ildren, senior citizens , individuals with low income, and individuals with disabilities ; and WHEREAS: These services are essential in dental offices, public health facilities , schools, private organ izations and research facilities in provid ing the best possible oral healthcare for all citizens; now THEREFORE: I, NATHAN DEAL, Governor of the State of Georgia, do hereby proclaim February 7, 201 3, as DENTAL HYGIENISTS DAY in Georgia and urge all cit izens to recogn i ze dental hyg ienists for the many va lued services they provide and become more familiar with the practice of dental hygiene. In witness thereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the Executive Department to be affixed this 28th day of January i n the year of our Lord two thousand thirteen. ATTEST GOVERNOR CJIIEF OF STAFF