The Utah Oral Health Coalition’s new campaign, “Your Smile Matters.” This statewide effort is dedicated to promoting lifelong oral health for all Utahns by increasing public awareness, emphasizing preventive care, encouraging regular dental visits, and improving access to essential resources. An important component of this initiative will also be gathering statewide data on tooth decay rates—particularly among Utah’s children.
Your Smile Matters Scholarship Competition
Sponsored by the Utah Dental Association
Your Smile Matters
Mission Statement
Your Smile Matters is a statewide campaign dedicated to improving the oral health of all Utahns by promoting prevention, education, and access to essential resources. We unite families, schools, dental professionals, medical professionals and community partners to ensure every person has the opportunity for a healthy smile and a healthier future.
Problem Statement
Dental disease is the most common chronic childhood condition in Utah, yet it is almost entirely preventable. Many children suffer from untreated cavities, dental pain, and infection, which directly affect their ability to eat, sleep, learn, and thrive. Families across the state—especially those in rural, underserved, or low-income communities—face barriers such as lack of access to preventive care, limited oral health education, and financial constraints. These barriers contribute to high rates of decay among Utah’s children, missed school days, and long-term health consequences that extend into adulthood.
Without a focused community initiative, children will continue to experience unnecessary suffering, decreased academic performance, and avoidable health disparities. Your Smile Matters aims to confront this problem by increasing awareness of oral health’s importance, promoting preventive practices such as brushing, fluoride use, and regular dental visits, and connecting families with the resources they need to support their children’s oral health. By addressing these gaps now, we can reduce childhood decay rates, improve quality of life, and set the foundation for healthier futures.
Dental disease is not limited to childhood—older adults also face significant oral health challenges that impact their overall well-being. Many seniors experience untreated decay, gum disease, and tooth loss, which can compromise nutrition, speech, self-confidence, and quality of life. Barriers such as mobility limitations, chronic health conditions, and limited access to providers increase the risk of poor oral health outcomes in this population. These challenges often lead to pain, difficulty eating, social isolation, and higher rates of systemic health complications, including heart disease and diabetes. Periodontal disease has also been linked to pre-term low birthweight babies, in addition to Alzheimer’s disease. Addressing oral health across the lifespan ensures not only healthier childhoods but also dignified, healthier aging for Utah’s older adults.
Campaign Goal
The goal of Your Smile Matters is to create a statewide movement that improves the oral health of all Utahns through prevention, education, and access to essential resources. This initiative seeks to:
- Increase public awareness of the importance of good oral hygiene, preventive care, and fluoride use through community outreach, educational materials, and school-based programs.
- Empower parents and families with tools, resources, and data to support lifelong oral health habits, including regular dental visits and effective daily hygiene practices.
- Reduce disparities in oral health outcomes by connecting underserved communities with affordable, accessible preventive services and by advocating for supportive policies.
- Collect and share data on oral health trends, especially childhood decay rates, to guide decision-making, strengthen advocacy, and measure progress over time.
- Build strong partnerships between dental professionals, medical professionals, schools, health organizations, and industry partners to unify efforts and maximize impact.
By achieving these goals, Your Smile Matters will help ensure that every Utahn—regardless of age, income, or location—has the opportunity to enjoy a healthy smile and the lifelong benefits of good oral health.