Sealants Strategy: Helping Children Access Oral Health Care in Schools

It’s a scenario that’s a lot more common than many of us would like to believe: a child experiences excruciating pain due to untreated oral health issues. Dental pain can make it harder for a child to eat, sleep, learn and play. It can distract them in the classroom and make it difficult for them to concentrate, which affects their grades and academic performance.

“Sealants in schools and education about oral health help children prevent cavities in the first place,” says Chuck Teegarden, past co-chair of Smile Spokane and executive director of Communities in Schools Spokane County. “Children need the right tools to prevent cavities, which include toothbrushes and toothpaste,” he says.

Smile Spokane has partnered with Communities in Schools Spokane County, an organization dedicated to surrounding students with a community of support, and Toothsavers of Washington, a school-based oral health program. Together, these organizations help school children access preventative oral health care services at school during school hours, including:

• Oral health screenings.

• Sealants, a thin protective coating painted on the chewing surfaces of teeth.

• Fluoride application.

• Oral health education.

Photo courtesy of Toothsavers of Washington.

The program focuses on schools where the majority of students are on free or reduced lunch. Children also receive their own toothbrushes, as well as referrals to local dentists.

In a county where 6 in 10 kids have experienced some form of tooth decay, Toothsavers sees more than 1,600 young patients a year.

“Toothsavers gets in there and puts on the sealants,” Teegarden explains. “It’s an institutionalized service that does not require extra taxpayer funding or grant funding, and at the same time teaches children about oral health.” Medicaid covers Toothsavers’ services at 100%.

 These services aren’t meant to take the place of regular dentist visits. But it’s a lifeline for children and families who, for whatever reason, might not regularly have access to a dentist’s office. Children from low-income families and communities of color are often hit the hardest by tooth decay and are less likely to have access to dental care. Research shows that painful cavities make kids nearly three times more likely to miss school and more likely to earn below-average grades. 

Youth in poverty are even more likely to have cavities, which further risks widening inequities in health and education for youth in households with low incomes. Cavity prevention helps youth stay in school and focus on achieving good grades, which supports their long-term success in life.

Thanks to the hard work of our partners, the Sealants Strategy has been a success! In Spokane County, 89% of elementary schools with at least 50% Free & Reduced Lunch receive school-based oral health services.

Learn more at toothsaversofwashington.com.