Access to Care
Since 2000, the prevalence of dental
sealants among
8-year-old children
and 14-year-old
adolescents
has increased,
although it remains
substantially
below the Healthy People
national objective
target prevalence of 50 percent for both ages.
Factors contributing
to the increased prevalence of dental sealants among
children from families
with low incomes
may include Medicaid reimbursement rates and the provision of sealants
in school-based
oral health programs.
School-based
dental sealant programs are an important
and effective
public health approach that complements
clinical care
systems in promoting the oral health of
children and
adolescents.
Dental sealant
programs typically target students in
second grade, when
the first permanent molars have
generally erupted,
and in sixth grade, when the second
permanent molars
have generally erupted.read more...
