Oral Health Program > School based dental sealant programs
A plastic coating painted on the chewing side of molar teeth.
Dental Sealants
School-based dental sealant programs have been established to improve community oral health and to reduce disparities in oral health care
for children. Snohomish Health District provides eight dental sealant programs in schools selected for children at highest risk for
tooth decay. Dental sealants are provided to all second graders who return a signed consent form.
( Sealant Program data in Smile Survey , 2000 2005 )
Based on the evidence of effectiveness, the Task Force on Community Preventive Services strongly recommended community water fluoridation
and school-based dental sealant delivery programs.
Full Report is published as a supplement to the American Journal of Preventive Medicine and available at
The Community Guide Web site.
Impact of Targeted, School-Based Dental Sealant Programs in Reducing Racial and Economic Disparities in Sealant Prevalence Among Schoolchildren - Ohio, 1998-1999. MMWR, August 31, 2001; 50(34):736-738.
CDC - MMWR
Jones K, Griffin S, Moonesinghe R, Jaramillo F, Vousden C. Reducing dental sealant disparities in school-aged children through better targeting of informational campaigns. Prev Chronic Dis 2005;2(2).
CDC - Preventing Chronic Disease
Promoting Oral Health: Interventions for Preventing Dental Caries, Oral and Pharyngeal Cancers, and Sports-related Craniofacial Injuries: A Report on the Recommendations of the Task Force on Community
Preventive Services.
MMWR, November 30, 2001;50(RR-21):1-13.
