Dental Sealant Program

On behalf of Healthy Communities:  Eau Claire, we would like to thank those of you participated during the 2009-2010 school year. For those who have not had an opportunity to be a part of this program, there are may chances for you to volunteer this year.

The objective of this program is to provide dental screenings, place dental sealants, and educate parents of high-risk children about dental health in order to help prevent future disease.

Eau Claire County statistics indicate that 10% of children are living in poverty.  These children have very limited access to dental care.  In partnership with Healthy Smiles for Wisconsin: Seal a Smile Initiative, the City-County Health Department, the school districts from Eau Claire Area, Altoona, Augusta, and Fall Creek, the Northwest Wisconsin Dental Hygienists’ Association, Northwest Dental Society, Junior League of Eau Claire, and Chippewa Valley Technical College Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting Programs, dental sealants were placed on qualifying second graders in Eau Claire County.  

Head Start Eau Claire Area School District Fluoride varnish program

During the 2008-2009 school year:

• 182 children were examined.
• 160 children received 3 applications, and 10 received 2 applications.
• 28 children had untreated cavities and 16 received care to date.
• Children were supplied new toothbrushes every 3 months.

Sealants Today for Smiles Tomorrow Campaign

During the 2009-2010 school year:

• 891 children from 15 schools in Eau Claire County received oral health education in conjunction with information for children and parents about the importance of dental sealants.
• 396 or 44% of all of the second graders qualified (free and reduced lunch statistics) for the dental sealant program with 299 (75%) participating.
• Of those 299 screened, 236 (79%) received dental sealants with an average 3.1 dental sealants per child.
• Of the 95 children needing treatment, 30% had untreated decay; 62 (20%) of the children screened had untreated dental decay with 32 (10%) needing urgent care.
• Each child with untreated dental decay averaged at least 1.25 primary teeth with dental decay and .5 permanent tooth.
• Of the 95 children identified as needing treatment, 32 (%) received treatment to date.

Help is needed from those who have and have not yet had an opportunity to volunteer.  This program is a tremendous undertaking and requires many volunteers.  We again received grant monies to continue the program this year.  However, when funding comes from grants, objectives must be met or the funds must be returned. We need dental professionals, staff, and community volunteers to make this a success. 

For questions, to sign-up or to donate to the program, please contact Linda Bohacek, RDH, MA, Health Care Access/Healthy Smiles Coordinator
715-835-0112 or email: lbrh4pets@charter.net