Int J Dent Hygiene. 2017;1–8. wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/idh | 1 © 2017 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd Accepted: 12 July 2017 DOI: 10.1111/idh.12303 ORIGINAL ARTICLE An evaluation of a school-based dental sealant programme R Williams | EJ Rogo | JR Gurenlian | KM Portillo Department of Dental Hygiene, Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID, USA Correspondence Rachelle Williams, Department of Dental Hygiene, Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID, USA. Email: grovrach@isu.edu Funding information Funding for the Bengal Smiles programme was made possible by Ronald McDonald House of Charities, Idaho Power, and the Department of Dental Hygiene at Idaho State University. Abstract Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of Bengal Smiles, a school-based dental sealant programme and assess outcomes related to the U.S. Healthy People 2020 oral health objectives. Methods: A needs assessment identified high caries prevalence in Idaho children and supported the need for a school-based dental sealant programme at a local Title 1 school. Children (n=54) ages 6-12 were screened by dental hygiene students for sus- pected dental caries, sealant placement and need for referral for dental treatment. Sealant retention and sealant caries rates were computed at 12 months (n=32) using descriptive statistics. Caries rates were analysed with a t test for paired samples, while a chi-square test was used to determine a difference in referral treatment rates before and after the intervention of administrative staff who contacted parents of children in need of dental treatment. Results: Bengal Smiles participants had a 16% decrease in suspected dental car- ies; however, there was no statistically significant difference in caries rates (P=.21) at baseline and 12 months. Sealant prevalence increased 370%. Sealant retention outcomes were 74% fully retained with 0% caries, 13% partially re- tained with 25% caries and 13% no retention with 25% caries. At 12 months, 50% of participants referred for dental treatment accessed care. The intervention of contacting parents had no statistically significant effect on increasing dental treatments (P=.75). Conclusions: School-based sealant programmes eliminate disparities in accessing oral health care and contribute to attaining U.S. Healthy People 2020 oral health objectives. KEYWORDS caries prevalence, dental caries, dental caries prevention, dental sealants, pit and fissure sealants, school-based dental sealant programmes, school-based programmes 1 | INTRODUCTION Dental caries is a preventable infectious disease continuing to af- fect millions of children with low socioeconomic status. 1–4 A survey from the Health Statistics for U.S. Children: National Health Interview Survey 2012 identified four million children with untreated dental needs due to insufficient funds, noting that 21% of uninsured children did not go to the dentist within 2 years. 1 Community school-based programmes provide millions of low-income and uninsured children with oral health care who would not receive treatment otherwise 5 Research in the United States from 1960 to 2014 has established den- tal sealants as a highly effective means for caries prevention in low socioeconomic status (SES) children who are identified as a high caries risk population. 4,6–10 Conversely, the extent of the benefit of dental