Oral Health

Oral health is key to health and wellness - it helps our residents to smile, smell, taste, chew, use facial expressions and show emotions. Tooth decay is the most common childhood chronic disease, and it is preventable. Poor oral health is associated with chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease, as well as risk behaviors like tobacco use and sugary diets. In Louisiana, 86% of our parishes are Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas, meaning the majority of our state does not have access to the dental care they need. Over 1.7 million Louisiana residents have lost teeth to tooth decay and gum disease.

The Louisiana Department of Health's Well-Ahead Louisiana program (WAL) works with residents, businesses, dentists and schools to bring oral health education and care - including working with community water systems to fluoridate water, providing dental screenings and delivering dental sealants to children with a high risk of getting cavities. 

Together, we can move Louisiana’s health forward. For additional information on oral health prevention and management resources, visit https://wellaheadla.com.