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Description

• school-based sealant and educational programs
• voluntary programs that provide dental sealants to school aged children (6-17 years old)
• parents must consent to program before it is implemented
• dental sealant is a thin plastic coating which fills the chewing surfaces of children’s permanent molar teeth
• conducted by licensed dental health professionals
• review percentage of students receiving federal free or reduced cost lunch programs to determine a school’s eligibility
• screening and sealant application takes between 15-30 minutes
• introduces nutrition education while stressing oral hygiene
• first approved in the early 1970s by the United States  Food and Drug Administration
• prevents food, specifically carbohydrates, from becoming lodged within the pit of a child’s tooth
• sealants last for 5-10 years
• strongly endorsed by the Community Preventive Services Task Force
• funded through local, state and federal grants

Theoretical Basis

• Health Belief Model (HBM): this form of intervention is centered on the disease and individual beliefs of the recipients
• potential constructs addressed include susceptibility, perceived benefits  and self-efficacy

Target Group

• individuals who are a high risk of developing dental caries are encouraged to receive dental sealants
• targets individuals with deep pits, orthodontic appliances, enamel defects, history of dental caries
• most effective on newly erupted molars (children between 6-12 years old)
• programs deliver sealant to high-risk children from low income families who do not receive regular dental care