Oral Health

Oral health is essential for general health and well-being. Oral health problems affect not only the ability to eat and speak but are inter-connected with serious health issues like diabetes, heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, and preterm or low birth weight. But the good news is that oral health problems are preventable. A healthy smile for life starts with healthy habits like brushing and flossing, using fluoride, making smart food choices and eating habits, and visiting the dentist at least yearly.

While the Missouri Office of Dental Health does not offer direct care such as extractions, prosthetics/dentures, composite and silver fillings, and professional cleanings, we are committed to improving the oral health of all Missourians through education, prevention and leadership.

The oral health of Missouri’s children is in crisis. Find out what Missouri’s Office of Dental Health and other dental health providers are doing and what the medical community can do to improve the oral health of Missouri’s children. Special thanks to Carol Berger, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, BS; Scott Argus, MA, MFA; Lilli Kayes, MFA; and Carl Leta for creating and providing this documentary.

Public Service Announcements regarding fluoridation benefits

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Recent News

• Access to Oral Health in Schools Key to Improving Oral Health Among Young Children
• Missouri Dental Association (MDA) Names Annual Dentist Award Winners
  Dr. John Dane, State of Missouri Dental Director, was honored as MDA Dentist of the Year on Oct. 13, 2020. “During COVID, Dr. Dane led a group of dentists and other oral health stakeholders to develop the Missouri Dental Practice Recovery Task Force Guidelines, which assisted in the safe re-opening of dental practices in the state. He also worked to address various MO HealthNet (Medicaid) policies and waivers necessary during the pandemic, among other efforts to help the profession in its recovery and to help patients receive dental care. As State Dental Director, and within the Office of Oral Health, Dr. Dane has helped the State of Missouri receive federal grant funding that has enabled programs for teledentistry, community water fluoridation, dental sealant programs for vulnerable populations and other efforts to improve oral health in Missouri,” MDA stated. Also, receiving MDA Awards were Dr. Megan Lenahan, St. Louis, MDA Outstanding New Dental Leader; Dr. Joel Pratt, Unionville, MDA Distinguished Service Award; and Shantel (Smith) Dooling, MDA Legislative Excellence Award. Learn more about the MDA Annual Dentist Award Winners at https://www.modental.org/news-publications/news-updates/2020/10/13/mda-names-annual-award-winners.
• FDA Recommendations on Dental Amalgam, September 2020
• Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Emerging and Future Challenges for Dental and Oral Medicine
• Learn more about water fluoridation and the recent Canadian study
• The Oral Health of Missouri's Third Grade Children Compared to the General U.S. Population