Cincinnati Health Department Sealant Study: 1989–1991
The project interviewed principals and teachers and used incentives and informational brochures for students, parents, and teachers. Researchers concluded that
- Incentives such as pencils, stickers, and coupons for free hamburgers for students returning consent forms were most effective at increasing participation. Many programs had success with pizza or ice cream parties (particularly for second-grade students), but these require additional planning.
- Participation rates were far lower among sixth-grade students than among second-grade students.
- Attaching informational brochures to consent forms increased participation rates slightly.
- Providing teachers with an informational fact sheet did not increase participation rates.
- Schools in which programs operated during the first half of the school year tended to have higher participation rates.
- Teachers’ attitudes about the program affected participation rates.
- Calling parents of students who failed to return consent forms and sending them a second consent form greatly increased participation rates.
