A dentist is seeing patients today for the first time in the Children's Dental Clinic at the St. Francois County Health Center.

“It’s a God-send!” said Sherry Cauley, Dental Hygienist. “I know it’s baby steps, but it’s a start to something we hope will be full time one day.”

Complete Story

Test your dental IQ

When the St. Francois County Health Center checked on children's teeth, they found a great many who needed a dentist's care. Beginning in August, they can find that dentist at the Health Center. Complete Story

Test your dental IQ

Many parents are flunking out when it comes to caring for their children's teeth. The Surgeon General has estimated as many as 95 percent of dental cavities could be prevented if parents would improve their approach to their children's dental care. Complete Story

Test your dental IQ

He is a bright child, a likeable child, with an engaging smile. On most days. Today he is not smiling. Today, his tooth hurts. Again. The cheek is swollen, and the tooth is quite obviously abscessed. Infected. There's no dentist to see this child today. The school nurse gives him pain medication knowing he'll be back again tomorrow with the same problem. Complete Story

Tell us what you think

Help finding dental care

We see ages 2 to 19 at the dental clinic, and we can only see those ages. The Dental Clinic at the Health Department is just for Medicaid. We are also reaching out to the underprivileged children who are not insured through our school-based program. Their income is not low enough to seek Medicaid and they cannot afford insurance. Every second and sixth grader in St. Francois and Madison County schools qualifies for the screening and flouride varnish, which is free. Some students may even qualify for dental sealants. Complete Story

How do children in your school district fare?

Help finding dental care