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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.

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.

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
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Target Audience
Children

Health Data

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Priority Areas

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Resources

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SHAPE Riverside