Dental Sealant Program

Coffee County Department of Health’s Sealant Program

The Coffee County Health Department recently finished up a month long visit at the Coffee County Middle School. During 8-7-2018 through 9-24-2018 the Health Department was able to educate 970 students, screen 474 and seal 455 students’ teeth. That is a total of 4,317 teeth with sealants placed on them. Mrs. Kim Aaron, principal of Coffee County Middle School states that she is pleased with the number of participation this year and it is the most the school has ever had. The program also visited East Coffee Elementary where they screened 81, educated 238, sealed 64 students and 279 teeth.

The CDC defines dental sealants as thin coatings that when painted on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth (molars) can prevent cavities for many years. School-age children (ages 6-11) without sealants have almost 3 times more 1st molar cavities than those with sealants. Although the overall number of children with sealants has increased over time, low-income children are 20% less likely to have them and 2 times more likely to have untreated cavities than higher-income children. Untreated cavities can cause pain, infection, and problems eating, speaking, and learning.The dollar value placed on the program performed at the Coffee County Middle School and East Coffee is $ 149138.38. “ The partnership that the Coffee County School District has with the Health Department is critical for both entities to achieve their missions of creating healthy bright futures for our students and faculty,” states Tonya Garner, Coffee County Schools Coordinator of Coordinated School Health.

This year the Coffee County Dental Hygienist will be visiting Coffee County Middle School East Coffee Elementary and Hickerson Elementary. Please be on the lookout for more information on when the program will be at your student’s school. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the Coffee County Department of Health’s Sealant Program please contact your local health department or your school nurse.