The Sealing Sunny Smiles Across Florida initiative is the Florida Department of Health’s school-based sealant program. The Florida Department of Health in Santa Rosa County (DOH-Santa Rosa) offers preventive dental sealants to 1st, 3rd, and 5th graders in Santa Rosa County.
Tooth decay and cavities are common childhood diseases in the U.S., and dental sealants are the most effective way of preventing tooth decay and cavities in permanent molars. More than 80% of decay occurs in the permanent teeth of children. Sealants are thin coatings applied to the tooth surface, which can help stop this decay from happening.
Sealants
Tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease, often leading to pain, school absenteeism, and poor school performance. We offer dental sealants as a preventive measure to protect your child’s teeth from decay. Sealants are thin plastic coatings that keep food and germs out of the chewing surfaces of the teeth, effectively reducing the risk of cavities.
Sealants are typically applied to the back teeth, known as molars and premolars, as soon as they appear in the mouth, usually around the age of five or six. The application process is quick and painless. First, the chewing surfaces of the teeth are cleaned to help the sealant adhere properly. Then, the sealant is painted into the grooves of the chewing surface, where it bonds to the tooth. A special light is used to harden the sealant. Sealants generally last about five years or longer and should be checked annually.