Dental Sealant Program In Jefferson and Lewis Counties
Learning good dental hygiene early on can set kids up for a healthy lifestyle. At Carthage Area Hospital, located in Carthage, New York, we are committed to advancing public health through community-based outreach such as our Dental Sealant Program. This initiative offers dental sealants free of charge for elementary school students throughout Jefferson and Lewis counties.
School-Based Dental Services For Second- And Third-Graders
Carthage Area Hospital’s Dental Sealant Program provides dental health education at area schools and offers dental sealant placement onsite for enrolled students. The Dental Sealant Program is led by Donna Farney, RDH, and overseen by Dr. Thomas McCue, DDS, who is the owner of McCue Dental. Farney is a Registered Dental Hygienist and has led the program for 10 years.
She conducts an Oral Health, Nutrition, and Sealant Educational program for the second and third grades at each elementary school in the program’s service area. After completing the program, students receive a folder with program information to bring home to their parents or guardians, as well as:
- A toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Flossers
At this time, dental sealant placement is available for second- and third-graders at participating schools, listed below. This is the best time to apply sealants because students in these grades typically have their first permanent molars. Placing sealants on the grooves and pits of molar teeth significantly decreases the chance of tooth decay.
The procedure is quick, painless, and doesn’t require an anesthetic. Sealant material is applied to the chewing surface of each molar and then dried with a special light. The sealant flows into the grooves of the teeth, forming a protective covering that keeps out bacteria and helps prevent decay, which can lead to cavities. According to the American Dental Association, sealants can reduce the risk of decay in molars by nearly 80%.
If you wish to enroll your child in the program, they can receive convenient sealant placement at their school. We bring all the equipment and supplies directly to the school campus, and the procedure is performed by a Registered Dental Hygienist with help from a Dental Assistant.
If you have dental insurance, we will bill your insurance to help cover costs, but there is no out-of-pocket cost to parents who wish to enroll their child in the Dental Sealant Program. Grant funding from the State of New York also helps to offset the cost of this program.
Schools Served By Carthage Area Hospital
Carthage Area Hospital’s Dental Sealant Program operates in 15 local schools. The program is available at the following locations:
- Augustinian Academy – Carthage, NY
- Antwerp Primary School – Antwerp, NY
- Beaver River Central – Beaver Falls, NY
- Black River Elementary – Black River, NY
- Brownville Glen-Park Elementary – Brownville, NY
- Calcium Primary – Calcium, NY
- Carthage Elementary – Carthage, NY
- Dexter Elementary – Dexter, NY
- Evans Mills Primary – Evans Mills, NY
- Guardino Elementary – Clayton, NY
- Harrisville Central – Harrisville, NY
- LaFargeville Central – LaFargeville, NY
- Philadelphia Primary – Philadelphia, NY
- Theresa Primary School – Theresa, NY
- West Carthage Elementary – Carthage, NY
If your child attends one of these schools and you are not sure if they have participated in the Oral Health, Nutrition, and Sealant Educational program, please contact the school nurse’s office.
Enroll Your Child To Receive Free Dental Sealants
The Dental Sealant Program is just one of many school-based health care services we offer at Carthage Area Hospital. To enroll your child in the Dental Sealant Program so that they can receive dental sealants at no cost to you, please contact your elementary school principal, school nurse, or call Donna Farley at 315-519-5917.
Located in Carthage, NY, Carthage Area Hospital’s holistic care services include pediatrics, family medicine, cardiology, 24-hour emergency services, and much more. As a smaller facility, our team can offer high-quality care with a personalized touch. We serve residents living in Jefferson and Lewis counties. We’re also pleased to be the primary health care provider for service members and their families living at Fort Drum. To learn more about the patient-centered healthcare services at Carthage Area Hospital, contact us today.