Dental sealants, protective coatings that cover the grooves found on the surface of molars, are a proven-successful tool for preventing tooth decay. School sealant programs are one of the most effective ways to reach children who might not otherwise receive oral health care and prevent painful cavities.
But a recent Pew Charitable Trusts report finds that too many states have policies and practices that work against expanding school sealant programs.
According to the report, some states have laws limiting the scope of work certain oral health care providers can perform in a school setting or require a dentist to examine students before receiving sealants. These requirements can impede efforts to expand school sealant programs because it can make programs more expensive to operate and less efficient, the report said.
Washington families are fortunate that our state has policies in place to help increase access to preventive oral health care in a school setting, and in turn, help reduce the impacts from poor oral health.
For example, our state allows dental hygienists to apply sealants in schools and school sealant programs can bill Medicaid, which is a significant source of funding for them. But, there is room for improvement, said Stacy Torrance of Arcora Foundation, the foundation of Delta Dental of Washington.
Low Medicaid reimbursement rates are a barrier for providers, which may be one of the reasons why less than 25 percent of high-need schools in Washington have programs. Additionally, Washington law limits hygienists to providing sealants in schools, when there are many other community-based settings that would also be effective locations for reaching children, particularly when school is not in session.
Efforts to reduce these hurdles will help ensure that even more kids can experience a childhood free from dental pain. Though largely preventable, tooth decay remains the most common chronic disease in children, with lower-income children and children of color experiencing higher rates of tooth decay than their more affluent or white peers.
School sealant programs are convenient for working families and students: children don’t have to take time off from school and parents from work to get this proven-effective, cavity-preventing treatment. And school sealant programs work, the Pew Report says:
“Sealants can reduce the risk of decay in permanent molars – the teeth most prone to cavities – by 80 percent in the first two years after application and continue to be effective after more than four years.”
Arcora Foundation and fellow Oral Health Watch members are working to reduce barriers for school sealants programs and expand school-based oral health care in communities across the state.
Oral Health Watch
6 hours ago
#DYK tooth decay is largely preventable? Proven-effective strategies like access to regular dental visits, brushing with fluoride toothpaste and flossing daily, and community water fluoridation can help kids and adults avoid the physical discomfort and burdensome cost of cavities. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
11 hours ago
#DYK tooth decay is largely preventable? Proven-effective strategies like access to regular dental visits, brushing with fluoride toothpaste and flossing daily, and community water fluoridation can help kids and adults avoid the physical discomfort and burdensome cost of cavities. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
12 hours ago
Thank you, Arcora Foundation, Delta Dental of Washington, Seattle Children's, and caring volunteer providers for making the SmileMobile possible. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
12 hours ago
💯 Arcora Foundation. Oral health care needs don't go away just because coverage does. The estimated 250,000 Washingtonians in need of dental care to either pay out of pocket, delay preventive care and/or forego necessary dental treatment, leading to:
🤒 Needless pain and suffering
... 💵 Burdening patients with costly care
🏥 Straining hospital emergency departments and our health care system
💪 Compromising individual and community health
#teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
1 days ago
Is it important for both parents and kids to have access to preventive oral health care? 💯 Parents who model good oral health habits make it more likely for children to adopt these practices from a young age. This proactive approach can help prevent future dental problems, missed school days due... to pain, and potential long-term health issues. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
1 days ago
Is it important for both parents and kids to have access to preventive oral health care? 💯 Parents who model good oral health habits make it more likely for children to adopt these practices from a young age. This proactive approach can help prevent future dental problems, missed school days due... to pain, and potential long-term health issues. #teethmatter