Indiana University School of Dentistry's mobile dental sealant program -- Seal Indiana -- will provide preventive dental care for the students of Eastern Greene Elementary on April 2-3.

A dental clinic will be set up during regular school hours, and treatment will include comprehensive dental examinations, dental sealants, and fluoride varnish treatments. Children will also receive a toothbrush and brushing instructions.

"Children who do not have a regular dentist, are not receiving regular dental care, or do not have dental sealants available through their family dentist are eligible for the program," according to Karen M. Yoder, Seal Indiana program director.

A dental sealant is a plastic material applied to the chewing surface of back teeth where decay occurs most often. Sealants protect these teeth from plaque and acid that causes decay. Receiving sealants is comfortable and no anesthetic is required. A fluoride varnish treatment provides added protection against decay for all teeth.

To have their children participate, parents need to complete a parental consent, being sent home with children through the school. For families with Medicaid/Hoosier Healthwise, the entire cost of this preventive dental treatment is covered. A sliding fee scale, based on family income, and a cap on services is available for those without insurance.

"However, no child will be refused care, and grants are available for families unable to pay," Yoder said.

For information about grants, please call Seal Indiana.

The Indiana University School of Dentistry operates the statewide program, with support of the Indiana State Department of Health and corporate foundations. For more information, visit www.sealindiana.org or call Seal Indiana at (317) 278-0750 or Beth Roberts, Title I coordinator at Eastern Greene Elementary, (812) 825-5621, ext. 248.