Oral Health Iowa Coalition

About the Coalition

In August of 2022, a strategic planning process started to establish a collective coalition to united Oral Health Iowa, Lifelong Smiles, Cavity Free Iowa, and Community Water Fluoridation. As a result, these groups in their previous forms would be restarted within a new collective coalition called Oral Health Iowa (OHI).

OHI is governed by a Steering Committee made up of individuals representing various broad sectors that impact oral health in the state of Iowa. Each Steering Committee member brings unique knowledge, commitment and experience. For the first three years, one representative from each of the founding coalitions/workgroups will be part of the Steering Committee.

OHI Steering Committee Members:
List coming soon!

OHI will meet at a minimum two times a year virtually. Individual members of OHI represent those involved in oral health provision, planning, policy-making, funding, dental and medical communities, educational programs, advocacy groups, insurance providers, state agency leaders, and private funders. Members are asked to identify subject areas/committees in which they have the most interest. There is no cost to join OHI as an individual member.

To join OHI, click here.

Why Oral Health?

Having good oral health can have a positive impact in all five elements of a thriving life. Without tooth aches or mouth pain, a child can focus on what they’re learning in the classroom – leading to a more successful education. With preventative care, children avoid the most common childhood disease, tooth decay – meaning their families avoid the higher costs for treatment. With a confident smile, a person is more likely to have more confidence going into a job interview – and landing it!

Good oral hygiene can also affect a person’s overall health and well-being. Individuals who have access to routine and preventive dental care are less likely to have chronic health conditions, reducing their overall cost of health care. These individuals are also less likely to use emergency room services for dental problems, avoiding unnecessary expenses.

Oral Health Iowa believes that access to quality affordable oral health care is critical. Yet, access continues to be a challenge, especially in our rural communities.

Accessible and affordable quality oral health care can lead to:

1. A Strong Economy

29 percent of adults with low-income say the appearance of their mouth and teeth affects their ability to interview for a job.
Dental problems result in hours lost from work and may also adversely affect a person’s productivity.
Thirteen Iowa counties, with a higher number of rural communities, have one or fewer dentists, or only have access to dentists over age 60.
Iowa children in urban areas are 20 percent more likely to have had a dental visit than those in rural areas.

2. Lower Health Care Costs

Dental surgeries to treat preventable oral health issues cost Iowa insurance companies $44 million in 2018.
In 2019, more than 6,500 Iowans sought emergency care for preventable oral health concerns, costing more than $9 million.

3. Improved Overall Health & Well-being

People with periodontal (gum) disease have 2-3 times more risk of heart attack, stroke, or other serious cardiovascular event.
Nearly 1 in 5 older adults experience tooth loss. Having missing teeth or wearing dentures can impact nutrition and overall health, especially for vulnerable adults who are disabled, homebound, or in a nursing home.
Children who have poor oral health miss more school and receive lower grades than children who don’t.

We believe that good oral health has a positive ripple effect on our community as a whole. It’s why Oral Health Iowa aims to support preventative education, advocacy for policies impacting equitable good oral hygiene, and create strategies to improve oral health outcomes for every Iowan.