Ozark Chemical Company

Ozark Chemical Company, which later became the Ozark-Mahoning Company, was a specialty chemical manufacturer based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, that played a foundational role in modern oral healthcare. The company is most distinguished for its pioneering work in the development and commercial production of high-purity stannous fluoride. This compound served as the primary active ingredient in the first fluoride-based toothpaste, Crest, which was developed in collaboration with Procter & Gamble and Indiana University. Beyond its contributions to dental health, the company was a leader in fluorine chemistry and industrial mineral processing. Following its merger into Ozark-Mahoning, the entity was acquired by Pennwalt Corporation in 1966 and its operations were eventually integrated into the global chemical company Arkema.