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A dental sealant is a plastic material placed on the pits and fissures of the chewing surfaces of teeth where up to 90 percent of decay occurs in school children. Sealants prevent tooth decay by creating a barrier between the teeth and decay-causing bacteria. Sealants also stop cavities from growing and can prevent the need for expensive fillings.
Seal-the-State
The Seal-the-State initiative is funded by a grant from the Daughters of Charity Foundation in St. Louis, Missouri. Seal-the-State is a cooperative effort of the ADH Office of Oral Health, Arkansas Children’s Hospital and volunteer dentists and dental hygienists. During the project, more than 2,000 children will receive dental sealants, free of charge. Using portable, state-of-the-art dental equipment, clinics will be set up in schools across Arkansas to treat children at risk of tooth decay. Seal-the-State will also conduct educational and awareness efforts on dental sealants using both print and broadcast media to help Arkansans understand the importance of sealants. The combination of dental sealants and community water fluoridation can prevent virtually all tooth decay in children.
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