BUNNELL, Fla. – The Florida Department of Health has partnered with Flagler County Schools to start a new school-based dental sealant program to date we have seen 80 children and provided 514 services.

“Dental sealants are the most effective way to prevent adolescent tooth decay,” said Health Department Administrator Robert Snyder. Adds Lynette Shott, Executive Director of Student and Community Services with Flagler Schools, “When we can collaborate with agencies to provide services to our families that are accessible and help support family’s needs, enhance quality of life, provide services that may be difficult to access for some of our families, that is how we become a true partner in assisting our community.”

School-Based Sealant Programs offer preventive dental services in the schools at no cost to schools, parents or children. The program began at Bunnell Elementary and will expand over time to other schools.

Tooth decay effects approximately 1 in 5 children in Florida and is the single most common chronic condition affecting children in the United States. Dental sealants are thin plastic coatings applied to the grooves on the chewing surfaces of molar teeth and are 86 percent effective in preventing tooth decay.
Left untreated, dental decay can result in:

• Infection, pain, inadequate tooth function and tooth loss;

• Impaired nutrition and inadequate speech development;

• Costly emergency department visits; or

• Poor school performance.

These new School-Based Sealant Programs will help the county make strides toward eliminating barriers in access to dental care for local children.

To learn more about the Public Health Dental Program visit: https://www.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/community-health/dental-health/index.html

About the Florida Department of Health

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board , works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook . For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov

About Flagler Schools

Flagler Schools strives to be the nation's premier learning organization. Our mission is to ensure educational success through high expectations and innovative thinking in a safe learning environment to empower students to reach their full potential as responsible, ethical, and productive citizens in a diverse and changing world.

We can be reached online at http://flaglerschools.com , on Facebook , Twitter and via telephone at 386-437-7526.