|
Overview
Dentists are seeing more instances of rampant tooth decay caused by the use of methamphetamines. This condition, known as meth mouth, develops rapidly and is attributable to many causes, including the drug's effect of drying the mouth, the tendency of users to grind their teeth and a drug-induced craving for sugary drinks. Often, tooth damage is so severe that extraction is the only viable option.
In the past decade, meth mouth has become a highly visible public health issue. Some dentists who have waged information campaigns to discourage its use by high school students who have reacted very strongly to images like the one posted here.
Because of the drug's extremely harmful side effects, the ADA has worked to increase awareness of meth mouth and to identify resources for the growing need for emergency dental care, which includes inmates at correctional facilities, as more and more meth users are being put behind bars.
Return to Top
Legislation
Meth Mouth Prevention and Community Recovery Act
Return to Top
Letters and Testimony
- March 24, 2009—Coalition letter urging members of the House to support H.R. 1671
 , the Meth Mouth Prevention and Community Recovery Act. | PDF file/19k
- March 23, 2009—Letter commending Reps. Rick Larsen (D-Wash. 2nd) and John Sullivan (R-Okla. 1st) for introducing H.R. 1671 , the Meth Mouth Prevention and Community Recovery Act. | PDF file/45k
- March 18, 2009—Coalition letter urging members of the Senate to support S. 450 , the Meth Mouth Prevention and Community Recovery Act. | PDF file/19k
- February 16, 2009—Letter to Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) expressing support for S. 450 , the Meth Mouth Prevention and Community Recovery Act | PDF file/39k
- February 16, 2009—ADA News Release on S. 450 , the Meth Mouth Prevention and Community Recovery Act
- February 13, 2009—Floor speech by Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) introducing S. 450 , the Meth Mouth Prevention and Community Recovery Act
- January 18, 2008—Dear Colleague Letter urging members of the Senate to support the Meth Mouth Prevention and Community Recovery Act (S. 1906 ) and the Meth Mouth Correctional Costs and Reentry Support Act (S. 1907 ) | PDF file/58k
- July 17, 2007—Dear Colleague Letter urging members of the House to support the Meth Mouth Prevention and Community Recovery Act (H.R. 3186 ) and the Meth Mouth Correctional Costs and Reentry Support Act (H.R. 3187 ) | PDF file/43k
- January 23, 2006—Testimony to the Senators' National Town Hall Meeting on Methamphetamine Awareness and Prevention, describing the oral health effects of methamphetamine use
| PDF file/32k
Return to Top
ADA Resources
Return to Top
Additional Resources
Return to Top
Contact Us
For additional information, please contact:
Federal Affairs
1111 14th Street NW, Suite 1100
Washington, DC 20005
202.898.2400
Fax: 202.898.2437
E-mail: govtpol@ada.org
State Government Affairs
ADA Chicago Headquarters
211 East Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
312.440.2525
Fax: 312.440.3539
E-mail: govtpol@ada.org
Return to Top |
