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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

Increase the proportion of children and adolescents who have dental sealants on 1 or more molars — OH‑10

Status: Getting worse

  
Getting worse
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Most Recent Data:
25.4 percent (2017-20)

Target:
42.5 percent

Desired Direction:
Increase desired

Baseline:
37.0 percent of children and adolescents aged 3 to 19 years had received dental sealants on 1 or more of their primary and permanent molar teeth in 2013-16

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Increase the proportion of children and adolescents who have received dental sealants on 1 or more of their primary or permanent molar teeth

Target-Setting Method
Minimal statistical significance

Data Source:  National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), CDC/NCHS

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Summary

Dental sealants, or thin plastic coatings painted on teeth, can prevent tooth decay. But many children and adolescents don’t get dental sealants, and there are disparities by race/ethnicity and income. Providing sealants through school-based programs is an effective way to increase their use.

Topics:  Oral Conditions, Adolescents , Children, Health Care, Preventive Care, Schools

Workgroup: Oral Health Workgroup

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