Rhode Island Department of HealthState of Rhode Island
Department of Health
Rhode Island Department of HealthState of Rhode Island
Department of Health
Dental Sealants are thin plastic coatings applied to the tiny grooves on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth (molars, which is where most tooth decay in children and teens occurs. Sealants protect the chewing surfaces from decay by keeping germs and pieces of food out. Sealants are best placed on the first and second permanent (adult) molars as soon as they come in, the first molars usually come in most children between the ages of 6 to 7, with the second molars appearing between the ages of 12 to 13. Dental sealants have shown to reduce tooth decay in children by up to 78 percent. more
SEAL RI! provides dental sealants for children while they are at school. It is free to you. (If your child has dental insurance, the insurance company will pay part of the cost.)
Many schools throughout the state participate in SEAL RI! . Check here to see if your child's school is one of them. If so, download the enrollment form (below), fill it out, and send it in to the school nurse with your child. Children will be screened by a licensed dental professional while they're at school and have teeth sealed, if needed, at a follow-up visit.
If your school does not participate in SEAL RI! ask your child's dentist about having sealants placed.
We can help you find a licensed dentist and free or low-cost dental clinics. list