According to a recent report, the majority of the States throughout the US still need to increase their efforts against tooth decay. The report was presented by the Pew Center on the States. It says that due to the current situation, the cost of healthcare in the country continues to increase. The report assessed the current status based on polices that were activated staring from July 2012.
States were evaluated based on four points: 1. The application of a dental decay prevention programs in high schools; 2. permitting hygienists to place sealants in school-based programs without requesting a dentist’s checkup; 3. data coming from nationwide screenings of the dental health condition of students at school; and 4, fulfilling the US national health objective on sealants.
Christine Nathe, RDH, MS, RDH Public Health column editor and author of Dental Public Health and Research (3rd edition published by Pearson), commented on the results of the report. She said: "I feel that it is compelling that [the Pew Center on the States] highlights the delivery of preventive dental care, specifically in the schools," adding "Moreover, it is refreshing that an agency that does not represent dental hygiene realizes the importance of allowing dental hygienists to place sealants in school-based programs without requiring a dentist's exam. Focusing on the four indicators that they utilized is a wonderful mechanism to use when developing solutions to preventive dental care issues."
It was noted that Alaska, North Dakota, Wisconsin, New Hampshire, and Maine received an “A” while “F” was given to Hawaii, Montana, Wyoming, North Carolina, and New Jersey, in addition to Washington DC. Meanwhile, other 37 states received “C” grade. The report also showed some interesting facts. For instance, Washington and an additional 35 states do not allow for the application of a sealant (as a program) in the majority of their high-need schools. Meanwhile, four other states do not even apply such programs at all of their high schools.
And DC, along with another 19 states, prevents hygienists from using sealants to children without having a prior examination by a dentist. Even for those states who received an “A” grade, many are still also required to increase measures to improve the dental health of the children living there, including extending the use of sealants.
The report concludes with calling for two significant changes in the fight against dental decay. First, the use of sealant programs should extend to more high schools. The second recommendation is that laws restricting the hygienists’ role in using sealants should be reconsidered.
