April 11, 2024

AGD Congratulates U.S. Surgeon General Murthy on Senate Confirmation

  • by AGD Washington Advocacy Representative
  • Apr 1, 2021
On March 24, AGD sent a letter to Vice Admiral Vivek H. Murthy, M.D., MBA, congratulating him on being confirmed by the Senate to serve as the 21st Surgeon General of the United States. The Surgeon General oversees the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps and works to provide clear, consistent health guidance and resources for the public, with a focus on vulnerable populations.

Oral health is one of the Office of the Surgeon General's key priorities, with the Office publishing several reports on the topic. The Office of the Surgeon General commissioned an updated report on Oral Health in 2018, which was in progress under the prior Administration. It is unclear what the timeline for publication of this updated report is currently.

President Obama previously appointed Dr. Murthy to serve as the 19th U.S. Surgeon General, a role he held from December 2014 to April 2017.

Impact on General Dentistry: AGD looks forward to working with Dr. Murthy and his colleagues at HHS to improve oral health status in the U.S. and will be weighing in as work on the Surgeon General's report on oral health progresses.