Sealants are plastic coatings that are placed over the chewing surfaces of teeth—usually molars—to protect them from cavities. They can reduce tooth decay by up to 80 percent, saving money for patients and states: Sealants are typically just one-third the price of a cavity filling. School-based sealant programs, which are often found in elementary schools with high numbers of low-income children, are the best way to deliver this powerful preventive treatment to children who have the greatest need for care yet face the most substantial barriers.
