Dental Caries (Cavities): School-Based Dental Sealant Delivery Programs

The Community Preventive Services Task Force (CPSTF) recommends school-based sealant delivery programs to prevent tooth decay in children. Dental sealants are plastic materials that are placed on the back teeth to prevent tooth decay. CPSTF found that these programs increase the number of children ages 5 to 16 years who get sealants at school and that sealants result in a large reduction in tooth decay in this population. Sealant delivery programs are often intended for schools in low-income neighborhoods.