Many States Failing to Enact Sealant Programs
A new report from the Pew Charitable Trusts reveals that many states are failing to protect their most vulnerable residents from preventable dental diseases, such as caries, due to faltering sealant programs.
A new report from the Pew Charitable Trusts reveals that many states are failing to protect their most vulnerable residents from preventable dental diseases, such as caries, due to faltering sealant programs. Research demonstrates that sealants are effective in preventing dental caries for up to 5 years after placement, especially when placed shortly after the permanent first and second molars come in. The research and analysis report “States Stalled on Dental Sealant Programs” breaks down the grade of each state’s sealant program, evaluating states on four criteria: the extent in which sealant programs are being utilized in high-need schools; whether dental hygienists can place sealants in a school-based setting without a prior dental exam; if data are collected and entered into a national database; and the number of children who receive sealants.
Only three states—Maine, New Hampshire, and Oregon—received a perfect score, while Hawaii, New Jersey, Wyoming, and Washington, DC, received failing grades. Analysis also revealed that 39 states and Washington, DC, lack sealant programs in high-need schools. Oral health professionals can check the score of their state by viewing the report online at: pewtrusts.org/enresearchandanalysis/reports/2015/04/states-stalled-ondental-sealant-programs.
The report also revealed that 13 states have shown improvement since the last grading took place in 2013. The analysis concludes that more can be done to protect the oral health of young Americans, with each state responsible for enacting sealant placement programs and policies that will safeguard the well-being of children so they can grow into healthy adults.
From Dimensions of Dental Hygiene. June 2015;13(6):12.
