This module reviews the dental-sealant-application process for school-based dental sealant programs. The module includes an overview of selected dental sealant materials appropriate for use in school-based programs, differentiates between the characteristics of various sealant materials, and outlines techniques recommended for sealant placement and for evaluating programs’ sealant-retention rates.
Learning Objectives
At the end of this module, you will be able to
- Identify at least three desirable characteristics of dental sealant materials for use in school-based dental sealant programs.
- Describe two differences between resin-based and glass ionomer cement (GIC) sealant materials.
- List three ways to prevent injuries to sealant program clinical staff.
- List the steps in the sealant-application process for resin-based and GIC dental sealants, in order.
- Explain the difference between short- and long-term retention checks.