New Mexico School-Based Dental Sealant Program
A Good Idea
Description
The goal of the New Mexico School-Based Dental Sealant Program is to reduce tooth decay in children by providing preventive services in eligible schools.
Arizona’s Office of Oral Health administers the dental sealant program to eligible schools. A school is deemed eligible if 50% or more of its student population is enrolled in the National School Lunch Program. First, students are required to watch an educational sealant video and participate in oral health education. Next, dental screenings are conducted in schools by a licensed dentist and letters are sent home to explain the services required by each individual student. A dental sealant team consisting of a dental hygienist and dental assistant then travels to each school to place the sealants.
Arizona’s Office of Oral Health administers the dental sealant program to eligible schools. A school is deemed eligible if 50% or more of its student population is enrolled in the National School Lunch Program. First, students are required to watch an educational sealant video and participate in oral health education. Next, dental screenings are conducted in schools by a licensed dentist and letters are sent home to explain the services required by each individual student. A dental sealant team consisting of a dental hygienist and dental assistant then travels to each school to place the sealants.
Goal / Mission
The goal of the New Mexico School-Based Dental Sealant Program is to provide oral health education, dental screenings, and dental sealants.
Results / Accomplishments
During the 2007-2008 school year, 4,329 students from 118 schools were screened and 14,435 dental sealants were placed by state staff. In addition, contracted private dentists screened 1,457 students in underserved areas and placed 4,259 sealants.
About this Promising Practice
Organization(s)
New Mexico Department of Health
Primary Contact
Rudy Blea
New Mexico Department of Health
1190 St. Francis Drive
Santa Fe, New Mexico, 87502
(505) 827-0837
rudy.blea@state.nm.us
http://nmhealth.org/PHD/OOH/index.shtml
New Mexico Department of Health
1190 St. Francis Drive
Santa Fe, New Mexico, 87502
(505) 827-0837
rudy.blea@state.nm.us
http://nmhealth.org/PHD/OOH/index.shtml
Topics
Health / Oral Health
Organization(s)
New Mexico Department of Health
Source
ASTDD (Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors)
Date of publication
Sep 2009
Date of implementation
1978
Location
New Mexico
For more details
Target Audience
Children