The 2007 NOVA Awards

The 2007 NOVA Awards: "A needs assessment found that dental care was virtually nonexistent for the nearly 20,000 children covered by Medicaid in 15 counties of northwestern Missouri. The region was underserved by dentists to begin with, and low reimbursement rates made it difficult to address pediatric needs. As a consequence, dental issues were neglected and grew into more serious medical, educational and social problems."

"The partnership then approached a local dentist to evaluate the extent of need in kindergarten through third grade at St. Joseph School District. Out of 3,000 children, approximately 900 were referred for dental care"

Missouri is 81% fluoridated.