CDC COMMUNITY GUIDE: Preventing Dental Caries: School-Based or -Linked Sealant Delivery Programs
CDC
An Evidence-Based Practice
Description
These programs provide direct delivery of dental sealants to children in school-based or school-linked (clinic or private practice) settings.
The Community Preventive Services Task Force recommends school-based and school-linked dental sealant delivery programs based on strong evidence of effectiveness in preventing or reducing tooth decay among children.
The Community Preventive Services Task Force recommends school-based and school-linked dental sealant delivery programs based on strong evidence of effectiveness in preventing or reducing tooth decay among children.
Results / Accomplishments
Results from the Systematic Reviews:
Ten studies qualified for the review.
• Dental caries outcomes: median 60% decrease in cavities on the top and bottom surfaces of molars and pre-molars among children 6 to 17 years old (interquartile interval: 5% to 93%; 10 studies)
• Studies compared results from programs where sealants were applied to programs in which no sealants were applied.
• Children were examined for tooth decay from 2 to 5 years after the program.
• Applying sealants in school-based or -linked programs was found to be effective among children at different risk of tooth decay and in families of varying economic means.
• Six studies provided information on the economic efficiency of school-based or school-linked programs.
Ten studies qualified for the review.
• Dental caries outcomes: median 60% decrease in cavities on the top and bottom surfaces of molars and pre-molars among children 6 to 17 years old (interquartile interval: 5% to 93%; 10 studies)
• Studies compared results from programs where sealants were applied to programs in which no sealants were applied.
• Children were examined for tooth decay from 2 to 5 years after the program.
• Applying sealants in school-based or -linked programs was found to be effective among children at different risk of tooth decay and in families of varying economic means.
• Six studies provided information on the economic efficiency of school-based or school-linked programs.
About this Promising Practice
Primary Contact
Topics
Health / Oral Health
Source
Community Guide Branch Epidemiology and Analysis Program Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Location
USA
For more details
Target Audience
Children