SR665: SR665 Dental Hygienists Appreciation Day; recognize February 5, 2026

This is a ceremonial resolution from the Georgia Senate rather than a change to state law. It recognizes dental hygienists for their role in promoting oral health and preventing dental disease in Georgia, noting that the profession has served the state for more than 75 years. The resolution names February 5, 2026 as Dental Hygienists Appreciation Day at the state capitol and encourages Georgia residents to honor dental hygienists for their work. It also directs the Secretary of the Senate to send a copy of the resolution to the Georgia Dental Hygienists' Association. The bill text itself lists February 5, 2025 in some passages, an apparent drafting inconsistency with the stated 2026 recognition date in the bill's title.

• Formally designates February 5 as Dental Hygienists Appreciation Day at the Georgia state capitol.
• Encourages Georgia citizens to honor dental hygienists for their role in oral health care and disease prevention.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to send a copy of the resolution to the Georgia Dental Hygienists' Association.
• Creates no new legal requirements, funding, or penalties, since it is a symbolic resolution rather than a law.

Licensed dental hygienists working in dental offices, public health facilities, schools, and research settings across Georgia, along with the Georgia Dental Hygienists' Association, which will receive a copy of the resolution.

The resolution has no legal or financial effect on Georgians. Its practical significance is symbolic: it gives public recognition to dental hygienists' role in preventive oral health care, including voluntary services many provide to elderly, disabled, and underprivileged residents.

• The resolution recognizes dental hygienists as licensed oral health professionals who have practiced in Georgia for more than 75 years.
• It cites regular checkups, cleanings, brushing, flossing, and a balanced diet as basic steps to good oral hygiene.
• It notes that many dental hygienists volunteer their time to serve special needs groups such as the elderly, people with disabilities, and the underprivileged.
• The resolution designates the recognition day at the state capitol and encourages citizens to honor dental hygienists.
• It directs the Secretary of the Senate to provide a copy of the resolution to the Georgia Dental Hygienists' Association.

1. 2026-02-02Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
2. 2026-01-30Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Kay Kirkpatrick (R, SD-032)Primary sponsor
• Jaha Howard (D, SD-035)
• Clint Dixon (R, SD-045)
• John Albers (R, SD-056)
• Randy Robertson (R, SD-029)

• dental hygienists
• oral health
• state recognition day
• Georgia Senate resolution