Dr. Murray Thompson grew up in Pierre, South Dakota. He is a 2001 graduate of Creighton University with a BS in Physics and a 2005 graduate of the Creighton University Medical Center School of Dentistry. He currently practices general dentistry and is the owner of the Pierre Dental Clinic.

Dr. Thompson was commissioned in the US Air Force Reserve in November 2001 having received a full Health Professional Scholarship Program selection. After graduating dental school, he practiced 3 years with the US Air Force at Minot AFB, ND, as a general dentist and 4 years in the SD Air National Guard 114FW in Sioux Falls, SD, as the base dental surgeon and 114th FW Security Forces Ready Augmentee Team member. While on active duty, Dr. Thompson received advanced training in clinical operative dentistry and federal infection control standards. He further served as the dental infection control officer, regional continuing education lecturer on infection control in dentistry, and the hospital instrument processing center supervisor. In 2012, having been inspired by many members of the SD National Guard, he transferred to the SD Army National Guard Medical Command as a general dentist. In 2013, Dr. Thompson volunteered to serve with the US Armys Operation Enduring Freedom mission, SC Army National Guard 251st ASMC, as the only dentist in a Role I facility while deployed to a forward operating base in NE Afghanistan. In 2016, 2017, and 2019, Dr. Thompson participated in multiple exchange programs culminating in the first-ever SD Army National Guard MEDRETE/DENTRETE in the country of Suriname in northern South America. Continuing to serve the State of South Dakota, and the nation, he is the Past Commander of the SD Army National Guard Medical Command and currently holds the position of SD Army National Guard State Dental Officer.

Professionally, Dr. Thompson is a member of the American Dental Association, the South Dakota Dental Association (SDDA), and the Southern District Dental Society. He is a Past President of the Southern District Dental Society, has served as a SDDA Delegate and Legislative Committee Chair and currently is the Southern District Board Trustee. He is also a fellow in the International College of Dentists. Further, Dr. Thompson is a paid professional consultant for Delta Dental of South Dakota. Likewise, Dr. Thompson has volunteered many hours with the Dakota Smiles Mobile Dental Program, the Donated Dental Services Program, and is currently on staff at Avera St. Marys Hospital in Pierre. He has also been an active volunteer at the St. Francis Mission dental clinic, serves on the advisory board for Lake Area Technical Institute Dental Assisting Program, and has served as clinical student externship instructor for both Creighton University School of Dentistry and Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health. In 2015, Dr. Thompson was selected as Volunteer of the Year in Pierre, SD and in 2016 he was selected as the SDDA Young Dentist of the Year. Dr. Thompson is the Past President of the SD National Guard Officers Association and further serves the communities of Pierre and Ft. Pierre as a prior board member and Past President of the Capital Area United Way and the Pierre/Ft. Pierre Kiwanis club as well as a current commissioner on the Pierre/Ft. Pierre Housing and Redevelopment Commission, Advisory Team Board Member of the Bridge Wesleyan Church, and a Dakota Prairie Bank Board Director.

When not at work, you will find him spending time with his wife Jen and their 2 children. He is also very active in flying small general aviation aircraft as an Instrument Rated Commercial Pilot, helping manage a large family cattle ranching corporation, and playing guitar, the piano, and/or singing in his churchs worship band on Sundays.

Tooth Decay is the most common global disease affecting every family. Over 80% of cavities occur inside pits and fissures on chewing surfaces where brushing cannot reach food left trapped after every meal or snack and saliva or fluoride have no access to neutralise acid and remineralise demineralised tooth.

Fissure sealants dentists apply over grooves in chewing surfaces of back teeth, block food being trapped and halt the decay process. An elastomer strip has been shown to force sealant deeper inside opposing chewing surfaces at the same time and can also force fluoride toothpaste inside chewing surfaces before brushing to remineralise demineralised teeth.

Since before recorded history, a variety of oral hygiene measures have been used for teeth cleaning. This has been verified by various excavations done all over the world, in which chewsticks, tree twigs, bird feathers, animal bones and porcupine quills were recovered. Many people used different forms of teeth cleaning tools. Indian medicine (Ayurveda) has used the neem tree (a.k.a. daatun) and its products to create teeth cleaning twigs and similar products for millennia. A person chews one end of the neem twig until it somewhat resembles the bristles of a toothbrush, and then uses it to brush the teeth. In the Muslim world, the miswak, or siwak, made from a twig or root with antiseptic properties has been widely used since the Islamic Golden Age. Rubbing baking soda or chalk against the teeth was also common.

Generally, dentists recommend that teeth be cleaned professionally at least twice per year. Professional cleaning includes tooth scaling, tooth polishing, and, if too much tartar has built up, debridement. This is usually followed by a fluoride treatment.

Between cleanings by a dental hygienist, good oral hygiene is essential for preventing tartar build-up which causes the problems mentioned above. This is done by carefully and frequently brushing with a toothbrush and the use of dental floss to prevent accumulation of plaque on the teeth.

Plaque is a sticky film that forms on the teeth and gums. The bacteria in plaque release acid that attacks tooth enamel. Tooth decay can occur after repeated attacks. Some food causes plaque bacteria that produce acids. Thorough daily brushing and flossing can prevent tartar from forming on the teeth.

Plaque can also cause irritation to the gums, making them red, tender, or bleeding easily. In some cases, the gums pull away from the teeth, leaving cavities inhabited by bacteria and pus. If this is not treated, bones around the teeth can be destroyed. Teeth may become loose or have to be removed as with periodontal (gum) disease in mostly adults. Eating a balanced diet and limiting snacks can prevent tooth decay and periodontal disease. Nutritious foods such as raw vegetables, plain yogurt, cheese, or a piece of fruit are considered good snack foods to grab.[2]

The use of dental floss is an important element of the oral hygiene, since it removes the plaque and the decaying food remaining stuck between the teeth. This food decay and plaque cause irritation to the gums, allowing the gum tissue to bleed more easily. Acid forming foods left on teeth also demineralise tooth eventually causing cavities. Flossing for a proper inter-dental cleaning is recommended at least once per day, preferably before bedtime, to help prevent receding gums, gum disease, and cavities between the teeth.

A dental hygienist demonstrates dental flossing. Use enough floss to be able to wrap it around your two middle fingers leaving an inch or two of floss between. Holding the floss tightly, gently move the floss up and down between teeth. Go beneath the gum line by curving the floss around each tooth. Use a clean section of the floss when moving from tooth to tooth. To remove floss, use the same back and forth motion to gently bring the floss away from teeth.