MCOH to Host Oral Health Summit

The Missouri Coalition for Oral Health (MCOH) will host the 2009 Oral Health Summit, Friday, November 13, 2009 at the Holiday Inn Select Center, Columbia.  The Summit, Integrating Dental & Medical Services:  Healthy Mouths, Healthy Lives, will focus upon the system of care and how it reaches vulnerable clients in hopes of improving the overall quality of care to address both medical and dental needs while reducing costs.  According to MCOH Executive Director Sarah Grim, "Untreated oral disease can have negative impacts upon vulnerable populations with chronic diseases such as diabetes, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), congestive heart failure, and stroke.  In addition, pregnant women may be at higher risk for low-birth weight babies due to poor oral care." MCOH is a collaborative of stakeholders who have a desire to improve oral health in the state.  For more information about the summit contact MCOH or view the agenda online.