The Sconi

As the 2024-2025 school year begins, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is commemorating the 25th anniversary of its Wisconsin Seal-A-Smile program. This initiative delivers preventive dental services to children statewide. The program, managed by DHS in collaboration with the Children's Health Alliance of Wisconsin and Delta Dental of Wisconsin Foundation, served over 86,300 students during the 2023-2024 school year, amounting to an estimated $17,554,000 in dental services.

"Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease experienced during childhood," said Dr. Russell Dunkel, Wisconsin State Dental Director and DHS Chief Dental Officer. "Cavities not only cause pain and discomfort, which makes eating or concentrating in class difficult but can impact a child's overall health. By bringing preventive dental services to students at schools we are not only improving access to preventive dental care and teaching good oral hygiene habits but we are reducing the time students spend away from the classroom and preventing life-long health concerns."

Research indicates that students with poor oral health are three times more likely to miss school due to dental pain and tend to perform worse academically. Poor oral health has also been linked to chronic conditions later in life such as diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

The 2022-2023 Healthy Smiles Survey revealed that three out of five third graders in Wisconsin had at least one molar needing a sealant while one out of four third graders had untreated tooth decay or cavities. Dental sealants can prevent eight out of ten cavities in back teeth where most cavities occur.

Wisconsin Seal-A-Smile offers preventive services like dental sealants and fluoride varnish treatments free of charge to all students regardless of insurance status at participating schools. The program also provides oral health education and case management for students needing further care.

Twenty-seven local programs across the state participate in Wisconsin Seal-A-Smile providing care in 60 counties. These local programs consist of dentists, dental hygienists, schools, hospitals, local health departments, community health centers, nonprofit agencies, and free clinics.

For more information about Wisconsin Seal-A-Smile or to sign up your school or child for the program visit the Wisconsin Seal-A-Smile webpage.

Members of the media can direct inquiries to DHSMedia@dhs.wisconsin.gov.

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