Idaho CareLine
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A dental sealant is a plastic coating that is painted in the pits and grooves of molars to protect teeth from decay. Using portable dental equipment, a complete dental operatory is set up at a school. Elementary students from ages 5-18 are examined by a Registered Dental Hygienist and then sealants are placed on permanent molars.
Schools are identified on the basis of the percentage of students enrolled in the Free/Reduced Lunch Program. Public Health – Idaho North Central District (PH-INCD) has partnered with Regence BlueShield of Idaho.
Families on the WIC (Women, Infant, and Children) Program are eligible for sliding scale fluoride varnish, oral exam and nutrition counseling twice per year up to age five.
The focus is to have a preventative dental exam by age one and to raise the parent awareness of the causes of ECC. District 2 has five outlying offices that schedule these clinics once per month.
Oral health professionals visit headstart schools to provide classroom education. Each child is given a toothbrush and is educated on tooth decay.
