The use of dental sealants in the Washington State Medical Assistance Program: a second-year report

The second year utilization and cost data were reviewed for the Medical Assistance sealant program in Washington State. This report covers the period from November 1, 1986 to October 31, 1987. A total of 6,814 children received sealants, or 17.2 percent of all individuals (ages six to fourteen) who made at least one visit to a dentist. Sealants were placed on 21,685 teeth, with an average of 3.18 teeth sealed per child. This represents 2,095 or 10.7 percent more teeth sealed than in the first year of the program. There were 726 dentists who participated in the sealant program during the study period, for an increase of 22 percent over the previous year of the project. The total cost of providing sealants to this group of children was $193,303. This represents an increase of 12 percent for the second project year. In 1987 there were eighteen states that included sealants as a dental benefit for EPSDT children. A 1988 survey of dental programs in Medicaid reveals, however, that twenty-two states now provide sealants as a covered service. The second-year report shows steady progress in the Washington State Medical Assistance sealant program.