This timeline traces significant events that have occurred in the United States and that have impacted the oral health and, ultimately, the overall health and well-being of children, adolescents, women, and families.

The timeline was developed as a tool for educating students, orienting professionals new to public health or oral health, and reminding professionals working in the field about important events that have shaped history.

Leadership and Legacy: Oral Health Milestones in Maternal and Child Health was modeled after MCH Timeline: History, Legacy, and Resources for Education and Practice, which traces the history of maternal and child health in the United States.

Navigating the Timeline

Exploring the timeline is simple! Each page contains a date, a milestone, background information, and information about the milestone’s impact. Each page also includes sources of additional information for those interested in reading more about the event.

Index of Milestones

For a list of all timeline events, view the index of milestones.

Highlights

View a handout of highlights from the timeline.