There were 165 influential people who were behind the invitation to form the association in 1911. The state of oral health in the population was very poor at that time, and children and young people in particular had bad teeth and often severe pain. The organization's first year was marked by a popular movement where the struggle was the development of school dental care and better diet. The association has also published the journal Munnpleien for over 100 years.
The organization changed in step with society. In the years 1940-60, the focus was on the consequence of sugar in food. After 1960 came the age of fluorine, and in recent times the association was concerned that the entire population should have good oral health throughout their lives, adopting the slogan Teeth for Life.
The Association's main mission in recent years was to act as a national coordinator and to develop materials for the dental service and others dealing with public health. In particular, it has been important to create information materials in many different languages that can be used in dentistry. Norsk Tannvern worked for good health in the population by improving oral health, and organized seminars regularly, among other things.
