The Wisconsin Seal-A-Smile (SAS) program is a statewide sealant program that offers grants to local school-based programs targeting underserved children. This program is funded by Wisconsin Seal-A-Smile, a collaborative program of Children’s Health Alliance of WI and the WI Department of Health Services (DHS).

A dental provider (registered dental hygienist) goes into schools and provides a dental screening/exam (without x-rays) to assess if sealants are needed, applies sealants (when appropriate), and provides a dental cleaning and fluoride varnish treatment(s). A follow-up letter is sent home to describe what was completed and recommendations for future needs. Case management is provided for students who have significant decay and urgent follow-up needs. All procedures follow recommendations from the American Dental Association and CDC’s recommendations for school-based dental sealant programs.

The mission of the SAS program is to prevent dental decay and promote oral health as part of a child’s total health by increasing the number of dental sealants on their teeth through community-based sealant promotion initiatives.

 

The SAS program has three primary goals:

1. Sealant Placement: To have annual community-based sealant promotion initiatives in every Wisconsin county (all children are eligible to receive sealants).

 

2. Sealant Education: Provide education and information about sealants and oral health.

 

3. Partnerships: Strengthen state and local partnerships between dental providers, educational institutions, and youth health advocates to improve the oral health of children in Wisconsin.