Missouri Legislative Advocacy Toolkit

May 4, 2026

Close Up of Woman with Freckles Smiling 2

Advocate for Oral Health

This toolkit provides the resources, information, and advocacy tools you need to stay informed, connect with lawmakers, and help advance policies that improve oral health for every Missourian.

Getting Started

Advocacy starts with a conversation. Connecting with people in our communities is where meaningful conversations begin.

1. Why Advocacy Matters

Lasting improvements don't happen by chance—they happen when individuals, providers, educators, community organizations, and advocates come together to share their expertise and speak up for policies that strengthen their communities.

Advocacy means educating decision-makers, sharing real experiences, and helping shape policies that strengthen our communities. By combining data with firsthand perspectives, advocates help lawmakers better understand the challenges Missourians face and the solutions that can make a meaningful difference.

Whether you're participating in a work group, lending financial support, or simply sharing your story, you have the power to influence decisions that affect communities across Missouri. Together, we can help ensure oral health remains a priority and advance policies that improve health outcomes for all Missourians.

2. How Policy Makes an Impact

For many Missourians, MO HealthNet (Missouri Medicaid) provides essential access to health care, including dental services. However, having coverage does not always mean someone can receive care. Restrictions on covered benefits, low reimbursement rates for providers, and workforce shortages can make it difficult for patients to find a participating provider or receive timely treatment.

Public policy can help address these barriers by expanding covered services, improving reimbursement rates, strengthening the oral health workforce, and investing in prevention and community-based programs.

3. Our Policy Priorities

Our policy priorities reflect Missouri's most pressing oral health challenges and evolve as progress is made and new needs emerge. Together with our members, partners, and communities, we advocate for evidence-based policies that expand access to care, strengthen the oral health workforce, and improve health outcomes for every Missourian. Explore MCOH's current policy priorities to learn where your voice can make the greatest impact this legislative session.

4. Get Involved

You don't have to be a policy expert to advocate for oral health. You can take action by

Staying informed about current legislation and oral health issues.
Becoming an MCOH member and attending coalition events.
Participating in an MCOH work group or committee.
Contributing financial support to the coalition through donations or sponsorship.
Sharing your professional or personal experiences with policymakers and advocates.
Encouraging conversations with those around you.

How to Advocate Alongside the MCOH

1. Track Legislation

Knowing which policies are being proposed and where they are in the legislative process helps inform your advocacy efforts.

Stay informed about bills affecting oral health through the links below.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Never miss an opportunity to advocate. Subscribe to receive bill alerts, legislative updates, advocacy opportunities, coalition news, and upcoming events delivered directly to your inbox.

2. Learn Your Legislators

All Missourians have representatives and senators specific to where they reside. You can find your legislators and their contact information by using the links below.

Missouri Senate - Legislator Lookup

Missouri House of Representatives - Member Roster

Office of the Missouri Governor

3. Attend Coalition Events

Whether it's our yearly conference, committee meetings, or quarterly check-ins, each MCOH event gets us one step closer to better oral health for all Missourians.

Check our calendar to see upcoming public events, or become an MCOH member to connect with advocates across Missouri, participate in work groups, and stay informed throughout the legislative session.

4. Share Your Story

Personal experiences help put a face to policy issues and give lawmakers real-world insight into how oral health policies affect Missouri families and communities. Whether you're a patient, caregiver, provider, educator, or community member, your perspective can help shape better oral health policy.

The Missouri Coalition for Oral Health relies on community members to identify areas of need. Share your story with the coalition by contacting us, or become a member to join one of our work groups to help shape policy priorities and collaborate with advocates across the state.

Ready to Get Involved?

Advocacy starts with one step. Whether you attend an event, join a work group, become a member, or simply stay informed, your voice helps shape policies that improve oral health for every Missourian.