NASHUA – One by one, students come down to the temporary set-up for their oral health exam through Sealing Smiles Across New Hampshire.

There are no bright lights or familiar equipment, just a reclining chair. Students receive education about the importance of establishing healthy habits like daily flossing and brushing, screening to detect any concerns, and sealants to prevent cavities. If needed, students receive minimally invasive treatments on the spot to stop the cavities from growing. If the student needs more services, SSANH staff help them find a local dentist who accepts their insurance or other form of payment. Caregivers must provide written consent for their child’s participation, and no family is charged a fee, co-payment or deductible.

All of this is made possible through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention funded collaboration with the Nashua School District, New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services Oral Health Program and Solvere Health. Solvere Health provides staffing, equipment, and technology to deliver community-based clinical services nationwide.

School-based cavity prevention programs like SSANH have the potential to reduce the overall rate of oral health disease in the community because they can efficiently treat so many children. Since launching this pilot project in November 2023 through mid-February 2024, SSANH has screened 467 students, applied fluoride varnish 448 times, sealed 3,788 teeth and referred 222 children in Nashua. To date, approximately 40 percent of the children that have participated have NH Medicaid as their health insurance coverage.

According to the CDC, oral health disease is the most common chronic health condition among school-aged children, and dental sealants prevent 80 percent of cavities over two years in the back teeth where most cavities occur. The Third Grade Oral Health Screening Survey conducted by the NH DHHS Oral Health Program in 2021-2022 revealed 39 percent of Nashua’s third-grade students have untreated decay, compared to the state average of 25 percent.

The Nashua School District recognizes the urgent need for dental care among Nashua youth.

“Sealing Smiles Across New Hampshire is providing a valuable service that is having great success in our schools,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mario Andrade. “By helping to increase access to sealants that are effective in preventing and reducing cavities, students are much more focused on their classroom lessons because they feel good and healthy.”

By offering these services in the school setting, SSANH eliminates many barriers for children and families, especially for children at high risk of developing dental disease by catching decay early. School-based clinics eliminate the need to take time off from work, coordinate transportation, find a provider that accepts their insurance, and educate about the importance of routine care. More broadly, school-based programs have the potential to address social and economic factors, thereby, increasing health equity while expanding access to health care.