Drive To Provide Dental Sealants To Children - Office Of Oral Health, Arkansas Department Of Health

Main Category: Dentistry
Also Included In: Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 29 Nov 2008 - 0:00 PST

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A simple procedure that dentists and dental hygienists do can effectively prevents tooth decay and makes it possible for a child to grow up without cavities and fillings. Dental sealants are special protective plastic coatings that are placed on the grooves on the chewing surfaces of teeth where 90 percent of decay occurs in children.

The Office of Oral Health at the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) is joining forces with Arkansas Children's Hospital to provide free dental sealants to as many as 2000 children across the state in a campaign called "Seal the State." The clinics will be led by dentists, dental hygienists and program workers from ADH and Arkansas Children's Hospital, with volunteer participation from dental professionals and schools around the state. The first of more than twenty such clinics to be held statewide took place at M.L. King Magnet Elementary school in Little Rock today.

Sealants prevent tooth decay by creating a barrier between the teeth and decay-causing sugars and bacteria. Sealants also stop cavities from growing and can prevent the need for expensive fillings. Sealants are 100% effective if they are fully retained on the tooth. According to the U.S. Surgeon General's 2000 report on oral health, sealants have been shown to reduce decay by more than 70 percent. The combination of sealants and fluoride has the potential to nearly eliminate tooth decay in school age children. Sealants are most effective when provided to children at highest risk for tooth decay.

A screening survey of 7100 Arkansas public school third grade students revealed that 31 percent, or nearly one-third, of those children had untreated tooth decay. Tooth pain has been identified as the number one reason for absence from school. Tooth decay, left untreated, can cause pain and tooth loss. Poor oral health is associated with several serious chronic diseases, including heart disease and kidney disorders. Tooth decay can cause difficulty in eating and lead to being under-weight, and can have negative effects on an individual's self-esteem and employability.

The campaign has been funded by The Daughters of Charity Foundation in St. Louis, MO.

For more information on dental sealants and fluoride, call the Office of Oral Health at the Arkansas Department of Health, 501-661-2595, or visit http://www.AROralhealth.com.

News Source
Arkansas Dept. of Health
http://www.healthyarkansas.com