The Public Health Dental Program’s Sealing Sunny Smiles Across Florida initiative is part of a comprehensive statewide Oral Health Program to promote evidenced-based prevention strategies in order to achieve optimal oral health for all Floridians.

Dental sealants are the most effective way of preventing caries in permanent molars, where more than 80% of decay occurs in the permanent teeth of children. The deep grooves and fissures of the molars allow decay to occur deep within the tooth structure where fluoride is less effective. Thin plastic coatings that are applied to the tooth surface stop this decay from happening.

Currently, 51 Florida Department of Health County Health Departments provide School-Based Sealant Program services. See if your County Health Department provides these services in your community.

Dental sealants are cost effective. Every $1 invested in dental sealants applied by County Health Department dental programs yields $1.88 in dental treatment savings. The Public Health Dental Program promotes the early placement of sealants on permanent first and second molars to effectively prevent tooth decay.  Additional information regarding School-Based Sealant Programs is available below and by contacting the Public Health Dental Program at dental@flhealth.gov.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

http://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/publications/faqs/sealants.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/dental_sealant_program/index.htm

American Dental Association

http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/s/sealants

Maternal and Child Health Oral Health

http://www.mchoralhealth.org/PDFs/OHDentSealantFactsheet.pdf

http://www.flmedicaidmanagedcare.com/

Florida Department of Health School Health Services Program

http://www.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/childrens-health/school-health/

Florida KidCare

http://www.floridakidcare.org/

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