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Preventing Dental Caries: School-Based or -Linked Sealant Delivery Programs

These programs provide direct delivery of dental sealants to children in school-based or school-linked (clinic or private practice) settings.

Summary of Task Force Recommendations & Findings

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.

Task Force Finding

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. Results of the review of these studies are published in Truman BI, Gooch BF, Sulemana I, et al. (2002) Adobe PDF File [PDF - 2.52MB] .

These results were based on a systematic review of all available studies, conducted on behalf of the Task Force by a team of specialists in systematic review methods, and in research, practice and policy related to oral health.

Supporting Materials

Publications

Truman BI, Gooch BF, Sulemana I, et al. Reviews of evidence on interventions to prevent dental caries, oral and pharyngeal cancers, and sports-related craniofacial injuries. Adobe PDF File [PDF - 2.52MB] Am J Prev Med 2002;23(1S):21-54.

Task Force on Community Preventive Services. Recommendations on selected interventions to prevent dental caries, oral and pharyngeal cancers, and sports-related craniofacial injuries. Adobe PDF File [PDF - 69KB] Am J Prev Med 2002;23(1S):16-20.

Task Force on Community Preventive Services. Promoting oral health: interventions for preventing dental caries, oral and pharyngeal cancers, and sports-related craniofacial injuries: A Report on Recommendations of the Task Force on Community Preventive Services. MMWR 2001;50(RR21):1-13. External Web Site Icon

Task Force on Community Preventive Services. Oral health. Adobe PDF File [PDF - 359KB] In : Zaza S, Briss PA, Harris KW, eds. The Guide to Community Preventive Services: What Works to Promote Health? Atlanta (GA): Oxford University Press;2005:304-28.

More Community Guide publications about Oral Health



Disclaimer

The findings and conclusions on this page are those of the Community Preventive Services Task Force and do not necessarily represent those of CDC.

Sample Citation

The content of publications of the Guide to Community Preventive Services is in the public domain. Citation as to source, however, is appreciated. Sample citation: Guide to Community Preventive Services. Preventing dental caries: dental school-based or -linked sealant delivery programs. www.thecommunityguide.org/oral/schoolsealants.html. Last updated: MM/DD/YYYY.

Review completed: February 2000