School of Dentistry Provides Dental Sealants for 125 Orange County Students

Some students in Orange County may make fewer trips to the dentist thanks the School of Dentistry's follow-up of last year's Seal the State program. On Feb. 4, 1999 Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting Faculty and Students as well as faculty of the Department of Pediatrics applied dental sealant to the teeth of 125 Orange County students. The sealant will prevent future cavities. As in last year's successful statewide program the Orange County Health Department identified underprivileged students and coordinated transportation for the trip to the school.

Ginger Mann, clinical associate professor and organizer of event at the School of Dentistry, said, " The program provides a good service to the community by helping an under served population and gives our students an educational experience while allowing them to provide a community service."

The 1998 Seal the State Campaign was sponsored by the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services' Dental Section to celebrate its 80th sponsored to the State Anniversary and promote the use of dental sealants. All 100 counties participated and 8,228 children received dental sealants free of charges. School of Dentistry faculty and students applied sealant to the teeth of 190 children during state-wide program.

Tooth decay is one of the most common diseases among school-age children. Placing sealants on teeth can produce an 80 percent reduction in tooth decay. Only 26 percent of children in North Carolina have sealants on permanent teeth.

Dr. Steve Cline, state dental director, said last year's efforts have increased the number of free sealant programs through out the state this year and he hopes the efforts like the School of Dentistry will continue.

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