New Tools, Tips, and Tricks for School Sealant Programs

Tuesday, April 8, 2025

12:30 PM - 2:00 PM East Coast USA Time

Location: Seminole D-E

Earn 1.5 CE Credit

Speaker(s)

McAllister Castelaz, DMD, MS (she/her/hers)

Dental Policy Consultant
Wisconsin Department of Health Services
Keith Benson, DMD

Nevada State Dental Officer
NV Department of Health and Human Services/Division of Health Care Financing and Policy
Shillpa Naavaal, BDS, MS, MPH

Associate Professor
Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Commonwealth University

Moderator(s)

Sandy Tesch, RDH, MSHP (she/her/hers)

Dental Sealant Consultant
ASTDD

Disclosure(s):

Shillpa Naavaal, BDS, MS, MPH: No financial relationships to disclose

Keith Benson: No financial relationships to disclose

Ericca Facetti, BS: No financial relationships to disclose

Sandy Tesch, RDH, MSHP: No financial relationships to disclose

Session Description: The session will provide valuable insights, promising practices, and tools aimed at improving the reach, efficiency, and oral health outcomes of state school sealant programs (SSPs). The panel includes three novel sealant-related topics:
1. Data Collection: Gathering data in sealant programs and comparing them with each other to gain insights into their reach, impact, and best practices. We will share the challenges and opportunities in data gathering and streamlining the information for the SSP.
2. School-Based Oral Health Learning Collaborative. This session will enable state oral health program staff and administrators to explore key strategies and activities that can enhance the success and impact of state-wide SSPs. It includes the implementation of impactful policy and creative workforce models, the demonstration of successful collaborative partnerships, and meaningful data collection and reporting.
3. Blacklight Technology: This session will include learned experiences from professionals who utilize blacklights as a tool for sealant detection.