Dental Sealants

Dental sealants have been extensively researched and documented in the dental literature as a safe and effective preventive intervention to reduce tooth decay, however, dental sealants are believed to be severely underutilized.12

Sealants on permanent molars reduce the risk of cavities by 76%.10 A 2016 guideline panel convened by the American Dental Association (ADA) and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends the use of sealants on the surface of the tooth that is used for chewing (occlusal) of primary and permanent molars in children and adolescents.15

The 2019 GPRA results indicated a 0.2% decrease of intact dental sealants in AI/AN children (age 2-15 years) in the IHS OKC Area from the previous year.2

The GPRA results indicated a 0.5% decrease of intact dental sealants in AI/AN in IHS Overall from the 2018 report.2, 12 The national GPRA target for this indicator was 16%.2, 12, 13

The HP 2020 initiative reported 4% of children aged 3-5 years received dental sealants on their primary molars in 2012.12, 14

*Most recent U.S. data comes from NHANES report for children aged 3-5 (2012) 6-9 (2013-2016) and 13-15 years (2013-2016), respectively.