Though the disease of caries is nearly 100% preventable, it remains the most prevalent chronic childhood disease – five times more common than asthma and seven times more common than hay fever. Children cannot have total health without oral health and poor childhood oral health often carries into adulthood. Sadly, children who endure this preventable infectious disease suffer a higher rate of lost school hours, pain, failure to thrive, poor self-esteem and dental anxiety.

Bright Smiles Montana is an endeavor supported by the Montana Dental Association and the Montana Oral Health Foundation. The goal of Bright Smiles Montana is to ensure that all of Montana’s children have healthy, happy smiles free of pain and disease.