News
- State proposal would close dental clinics for special needs patients
read more - Minnesota dentists donate $1.7 million in free care to children during Give Kids a Smile 2010
read more - National study gives Minnesota's dental policies for children low ranking
read more - ADA Statement: Food and Drug Administration Action on dental amalgam
read more - ADA informs patients about osteoporosis medications and oral health
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Helpful Resources
- Help in locating a dentist: Find a member dentist
read more - Access to Orthodontic Care for Underserved Youth
read more - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
read more - Influenza Information (H1N1 and seasonal)
read more - Emergency Preparedness: Ready to use materials from the American Public Health Association.
read more - Resources for Low Cost Dental Care
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Welcome
This is the official web site of the Minnesota Dental Association. Packed with information you can really use, our site provides a wide variety of oral health topics ranging from the effects of piercing on oral health to why soft drinks can cause tooth decay. You'll also find tools and resources to help you find a dentist if you are new to the community or need a specialist, valuable information if you are considering a career in dentistry, classroom resources to help teach proper oral hygiene, and much more. Click here to learn more about the MDA.
Resources for Access to Dental Care
The MDA maintains a list of dental clinics and special programs that provide dental services to patients who are on public care programs or that offer services at a reduced cost. These clinics offer help to low-income individuals and patients on medical assistance programs and sometimes offer special services for seniors, children, and other special needs patients. If you are having difficulty accessing dental care due to loss of income, lack of dental insurance or reductions in government funded programs, including the recently announced closing of five State Operated Services (SOS) clinics for developmentally disabled patients, check out these Resources for Low-Cost Dental Care.
2011 Give Kids a Smile
Every year in February, many dentists and dental professionals across Minnesota volunteer their time to provide low-income children with oral health care needs. Save the date for the upcoming Give Kids a Smile event: February 4th and 5th, 2011.
Impact of Dental Budget Cuts
The MDA has developed a video to demonstrate the devastating effect that cuts to public health programs imposed by the Minnesota legislature are having on underserved Minnesotans and the dental clinics that are committed to serving them. Watch this video to see the passion and commitment of safety net providers and the valuable role they play in providing dental care to the underserved.
Pediatric Dental Health Series
Learning good dental habits during childhood can result to a lifetime of healthy teeth and good oral hygiene. From infancy, there are actions you can take to promote good oral hygiene. Check out our pediatric dental health series below.
Baby bottle tooth decay
Dental sealants protect kids from cavities
Give Kids a Smile Program
Sour candy
The Power of Sour on your Teeth
Chewing and sucking on sour candies has become an increasingly popular trend in our country. Walk into any grocery or convenience store and witness the colorful and enticing array of extremely sour candy treats for sale. But what might appear to be a harmless treat can have a devastating effect on teeth, causing erosion of protective tooth enamel that can be very severe, even leading to permanent tooth loss.
Sip All Day, Get Decay
The MDA’s colorful campaign on the harmful effects of soda pop on oral health is nationally recognized as a critical educational tool for dental offices and public health agencies. You may be surprised to learn that, on average, every American consumes 56 gallons of soda pop a year. The health consequences of excessive soda consumption are becoming more and more apparent to dentists. Why? Because the sugar and acid in soda can cause tooth decay, even in patients who have had good dental check-ups in the past.
Workforce Recruitment Assistance for Rural Communities
Recruiting healthcare professionals to rural communities poses challenges -- and opportunities for innovative solutions. Current and projected rural workforce shortages make it increasingly important for dentists, community leaders and other healthcare professionals to work together to meet the needs and demands of rural populations.
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