ERIC Number: EJ1403123
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 9
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0022-4391
EISSN: EISSN-1746-1561
The Development and Implementation of a School-Based Dental Sealant Program for Hawaii Public Schools
Mattheus, Deborah; Loos, Joanne R.; Vogeler, Azeema
Journal of School Health, v94 n1 p87-95 2024
Background: School-based dental sealant programs are noted to increase sealant uptake among children, especially those from low-income families and those living in rural and underserved areas. However, nationally school-based dental sealant programs are substantially underutilized. This paper describes a partnership approach to a school-based dental sealant program for Title 1 public schools in Hawaii. Methods: The Hawaii Keiki--Healthy and Ready to Learn program partnered with the Hawaii Dental Service to develop and implement an interprofessional, school-based sealant program (SBSP). This article describes the development of key factors, such as partnerships, an interprofessional team, team roles, policies, and marketing tools to optimize program success. Results: The SBSP has completed over 3 academic years of implementation in Hawaii public schools. In its initial year (school year [SY] 2019-2020), which presented challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it served 6 schools (106 students screened) on 1 island. It expanded to 14 schools on 1 island (193 students screened) in its second year (SY 2020-2021), 28 schools on 3 islands (653 students screened) in its third year (SY 2021-2022), and during the Fall of the fourth year, the program reached 50 schools on 3 islands (1821 students screened) and is projected to reach over 70 schools by the end of SY 2022-2023. Conclusion: Taking advantage of strategic partnerships and key interprofessional team members, a school-based dental sealant program can help to improve the oral health of children in public schools by helping to decrease barriers to care.
Descriptors: Public Schools, Dental Health, School Activities, Program Development, Program Implementation, Partnerships in Education, Elementary Secondary Education, Dentistry, Child Health, Children, Access to Health Care
Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2191/en-us
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Hawaii
Identifiers - Laws, Policies, & Programs: Elementary and Secondary Education Act Title I
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Data File: URL: www.ashaweb.org