Knox County Tennessee

Dental Sealant Program Summary

Designated schools will be provided a Consent for Preventive Dental Services (En EspaƱol) permission form to be distributed to each student at the beginning of the school year. To participate in the free dental sealant program, the consent form must be filled out, signed and returned to school.

All children in the school will receive dental education on daily brushing, oral hygiene, nutrition, and dental sealants.  They will also be given a bag of dental supplies (toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss) to begin practicing good oral hygiene habits at home.

Students in grades K-8 who return a completed and signed consent form will receive free dental services to include a SEALANT SCREENING, FREE DENTAL SEALANTS, a FLUORIDE VARNISH APPLICATION or SILVER DIAMINE FLUORIDE (SDF) based on treatment needs. We set up the mobile dental equipment at the child’s school in a location designated by the principal. All dental procedures conform to OSHA requirements for protection of the dental staff and students. These dental procedures will be done by a Knox County Health Department (KCHD) licensed dental professional.

All parents or guardians of students receiving a dental screening will receive a Report of Dental Inspection. (En Español) If Silver Diamine Fluoride is applied, a SDF report will be sent home, as well. These forms advise the parent/guardian of the child’s dental needs and informs them of the services provided at the child’s school. If the child is identified as having “Immediate Need” (pain, abscess, broken or decayed teeth), the child will be referred to a public or private dental office for evaluation and treatment. To ensure that the child with immediate need has access to dental care and other care coordination services, the child will also be referred to CHANT (Community Health Access and Navigation in Tennessee).  Finally, the parent/guardian of this child will also receive a follow-up letter from the school nurse.



Need to report a public
health emergency?

Call 865-215-5093

Have Questions? Call: (865) 215-5555 Email: Health@knoxcounty.org

On the first Wednesday of every month, all KCHD offices and clinics are closed in the morning for staff in-service. On these days, the main location (140 Dameron Ave.) will open at 11 a.m. and the West Clinic (1028 Old Cedar Bluff) will open at 11:30 a.m.

Clinics will also open at 10:30 a.m. (Main location) and 11 a.m. (West Clinic) on the following Wednesdays: April 17 and July 17. All other offices will open at 8 a.m.