The Office of Dental Health: Updates, Initiatives and Action
Presented by Dr. Jacqueline Miller, DDS, MS, MPH and Dr. Drue Barton, DMD, MBA
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Course Description: A discussion of the oral health activities, initiatives, plans and programs of the Office of Dental Health, Department of Health and Senior Services for the coming year.
Learning Objectives:
1. Update on the oral health of Missourians.
2. Update on the activities the Department of Oral Health is facilitating and some recent opportunities.
3. Recognize the challenges we are facing, including work shortages and lack of access to dental care in Missouri.
Dr. Jacqueline Miller, DDS, MS, MPH
Dr. Miller was named the Missouri State Dental Director in August 2022. She practiced orthodontics for nearly 30 years in Washington, Missouri. Dr. Miller has served in multiple leadership positions in the American Association of Orthodontics (AAO) and was the first woman to hold the office of President of the Midwestern Society of Orthodontists (MSO). She has an extensive career of leadership, advocacy for dentistry and volunteerism both in Missouri and abroad. Dr. Miller has made 25 dental mission trips and participated in Give Kids a Smile and Missouri Mission of Mercy. In 2016, she received the AAO Humanitarian Award as well as the Early E. Shepard Distinguished Service award from the MSO.
As the Missouri State Dental Director, Dr. Miller is promoting an increase in the Preventive Services Program, which provides varnish applications, dental screenings, and education and referrals for thousands of Missouri children. The Office of Dental Health provides education about the relationship between oral health and overall health as well as the prevention of dental disease. Dr. Miller is working for all Missourians to experience better oral health.
Dr. Miller graduated with distinction from the University of Missouri at Kansas City School of Dentistry and received a Master of Science and Certificate in Orthodontics at the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry. In July 2022, she earned her Master of Public Health degree from A.T. Still University of Health Sciences.
Dr. Drue Barton, DMD, MBA
Dr. Barton serves as the Associate State Dental Director for the Office of Dental Health. In 2017, Dr. Barton earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree and a certificate in public health from the Missouri School of Dentistry and Oral Health. He furthered his education by obtaining a Master's in Business Administration from Pittsburg State University in 2022.
Previously, Dr. Barton held the position of special project consultant for the Missouri Dental Association, where he played a key role in developing the curriculum for the Oral Preventative
Assistant. Dr. Barton is an active member of the Missouri Dental Association and the American Dental Association. He has been honored with the Missouri Dental Association Presidential Citation Award.
Dr. Barton is passionate about increasing access to dental care. He has participated in multiple dental mission trips and previously worked in outreach programs for rural schools and special needs facilities in Southeast Kansas.