Dental sealants are a thin plastic coating painted on the back teeth to protect the teeth from tooth decay. Dental sealants, in partnership with fluorides, can prevent almost all tooth decay in children. The Section has a five-part initiative to get dental sealants on children's teeth. The five parts are:

	School-based sealant demonstration projects These are targeted to children, parents and personnel in the school setting. They are designed to educate children, parents and others in the community about the need for sealants and to encourage them to seek sealants from their private dentists.
	Interactive health promotion exhibits Thirteen interactive health promotion exhibits titled "Common Sense and Sealants" are used in parent meetings, mall exhibitions and health fairs. These exhibits are targeted to middle income parents to encourage them to ask their family dentist about sealants for their child and to provide basic information about dental sealants.
	Sealant promotions in private dental offices Sealant promotions conducted in private dental offices are a public/private partnership where privately practicing dentists use their facilities to place sealants on eligible children at no cost to the child.
	Sealant media campaigns Statewide television and radio campaigns encourage parents to request sealants for their children's teeth when they visit their dentist.
	Education campaign for dentists, pediatricians and pharmacists Privately practicing dentists, pediatricians and pharmacists participate in an ongoing, high profile educational promotion to encourage parents to request sealants for their children's teeth when they visit their dentist. These health professionals do this by placing posters and educational materials in their offices and stores.