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Abstract #163316

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William Maas, DDS, MPH¹, Barbara F. Gooch, DMD, MPH², Scott Presson, DDS MPH¹, William Bailey, DDS, MPH¹, Susan O. Griffin, PhD², and Shellie Kolavic-Gray, DMD, MPH². (1) Division of Oral Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, Mailstop F10, Atlanta, GA 30341, 770-488-6058, wmaas@cdc.gov, (2) DOH, CDC, 4770 Bufford Hwy, MS F10, Atlanta, GA 30341

The placement of dental sealants in school-based settings has been questioned by some. Yet, state and local school-based programs provide an important service for at-risk children, who may otherwise lack access to this valuable preventive service. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), working with a Sealant Expert Panel, has developed new recommendations on school-based sealant programs. This presentation will cover: the updated recommendations and the state of the science supporting selected recommendations such as tooth assessment, surface preparation, and evaluation of sealant retention. Findings from a systematic review of the evidence of sealant effectiveness on carious surfaces will be reviewed. Implications for public health policy and practice will be discussed. State and local oral health programs may utilize these recommendations to modify policies and practices integral to their school-based sealant programs.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe key recommendations for school sealant programs.
• Discuss the implications of the school-based sealant program recommendations for public health policy and practice.

Keywords: Oral Health, Sealant Programs

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

• Slides (pdf) or Handout