OOH Prevention Programs Office of Oral Health Prevention Programs Sealant Program Description Dental sealants, a plastic coating applied over the pits and fissures of teeth , have proven through more than ten years of research to be a highly effective means of preventing tooth decay. The Dental Sealant Program is a preventive dental program in which school age children receive dental sealants on their permanent molars. The goal of the sealant program is to reduce the incidence of pit and fissure dental decay in at-risk school children. The program uses portable dental equipment at the school sites to provide a diagnostic dental exam and apply dental sealants.
Participation is aimed at children in the second and sixth grade.
The program provided dental examinations to 1,890 children in 30 schools during FY 1994-1995. Over 6,500 teeth were sealed to prevent tooth decay. A cooperative effort with Phoenix College allows dental hygiene and dental assisting students to participate in the school-based dental sealant program to gain clinical experience working with children. The students also have the opportunity for a public health experience while assisting OOH in meeting its dental prevention goals. Over 40 students received clinical training through the Dental Sealant Program.