The DOH-Hillsborough, TFHC, SCHC and MHI, entered into an agreement with the School Board of Hillsborough County, Florida, in September of 2012, to apply dental sealants and provide dental services to second and third grade students in eight Title I schools. In 2013, the number of schools participating in the program doubled to 16. Forty-eight Title I elementary schools participated in the program in 2014.  This school year (2015/2016) all Title I elementary schools will be served by TFHC or SCHC and MHI.

The DOH-Hillsborough is the lead agency and the coordinator of the dental sealant program. Agency employees work with an identified “Oral Health Champion” at each school to select dates for administering dental sealant, obtaining parent permission slips and providing sealant information to students.

MHI schedules and teaches their dental lesson, “Tooth Town, Show Down,” to second grade classes, a lesson promoting the prevention of tooth decay and the benefits of healthy nutrition. MHI also sends dental health information letters to parents along with a free toothbrush for each participating student.

TFHC or SCHC provides a short, district-approved, sealant presentation to students in partnership with the DOH-Hillsborough. Agency employees return on a scheduled sealant day to provide dental screening and placement of sealants on students who have returned their signed permission slips. Students needing additional care are referred to the aforementioned centers for restorative services at no charge to the families.

DOH-Hillsborough requires the School Board’s signature before approval.  The remaining agencies will sign following DOH approval.