School-Based Sealant Program for 2nd Grade Students
Second Grade Families,
Permission forms went home for participation in the S-BSP to all second grade students. Please see below for additional information.
The School-Based Sealant Program (S-BSP) is provided by the Department of Health in Brevard County, Dental Services Program, to all 2nd grade students and, when time permits, to 6th grade students in public Title 1 Elementary Schools.
Registered Dental Hygienists, under the supervision of the Dental Director, will provide the services of the S-BSP which include performing a screening exam, going over proper brushing techniques, applying sealants if needed and fluoride varnish to all participating students.
We do a screening exam to inform the parents or guardians of what we see, any cavities or abnormalities. We do not report results to anyone but the parents or guardians and recommend follow-up treatment if needed.
Students who return a “yes” permission form, provided by the S-BSP, to their teacher will be allowed to participate in the program when in their school at no cost to their parents or guardians. Medicaid insurance, if applicable, will be billed, again at no cost to the parents.
Sealants are protective coatings that are placed on the grooves of the back teeth, 1st and 2nd molars, if present, to keep food and germs off the chewing surfaces to help prevent cavities in those hard to clean areas and have been proven to reduce decay by up to 70%.
It is more cost effective to place a sealant than a filling and prevent toothaches that will keep a student out of school. Students with poor oral health are nearly 3 times more likely to miss school than their peers with better oral health. A dental visit takes a student out of class for up to 75 minutes more than if preventative services are provided at their school.
