CREATING CHANGE
Public Policy & Advocacy
Working alongside key organizations and local communities throughout Missouri, the Coalition is pursuing public policy to improve Missouri oral health.
2025
Policy Goals
Missouri Coalition for Oral Health policy goals are formed through consensus of the Board.
- Expanding access to comprehensive dental care for all Missouri veterans
- Reduction of tobacco use and vaping to improve Missouri oral health
- Incorporation of oral health care in school-based health care
- Expanded coverage of and access to silver diamine fluoride for all Missourians
- Improvement of MO HealthNet by implementing best practices and system improvements to increase provider participation and MO HealthNet participant usage
- Inclusion of a comprehensive dental benefit in MO HealthNet
- Protection and expansion of public water system fluoridation
- Expansion of access to dental sealants for children without routine dental care
- Inclusion of a comprehensive dental benefit in Medicare
- Implementation of a statewide public awareness campaign about the importance of oral health to overall health
- Strengthening provider networks and expansion of service delivery of dental care for high-risk, vulnerable, MO HealthNet and uninsured populations, including people with disabilities and special health care needs
- Incorporation of oral health in the patient-centered medical home
MCOH POLICY STATEMENTS
Advocating for Sustainable Change
Community Water Fluoridation: A Smart Investment in Missouri’s Health
American medicine has advanced public health through the careful use of science and innovation….
Protecting Missouri’s Children Through School-Based Dental Sealants
No child should have to suffer the pain, distraction, and missed opportunities caused by…
Oral Health and Overall Health
How Oral Health Affects Overall Health Oral health is a key part of overall health. Healthy…
2025-2029
Strategic Plan
As we work toward a future where oral health is a high priority for every Missourian, our 2025-2029 advocacy efforts will focus on strengthening partnerships, expanding engagement, and advancing meaningful policy and systems change.
See our four key priorities and our plan to achieve them below.
2020-2025
Oral Health Plan
A five-year plan for improving oral health in Missouri for the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Created in partnership with the Oral Health State Plan Workgroup and Missouri Coalition for Oral Health.
