Developing forms and records, tracking students’ use of services provided by school-based dental sealant programs, and collecting and analyzing data are necessary for monitoring the impact of the program. Data can provide information about staff productivity, services provided, program costs, quality of care provided, students’ treatment needs, and need for referrals and follow-up.
As part of the process of planning a school-based dental sealant program, program administrators should determine the information needs of the program and how information will be collected, analyzed, used, and securely stored. Funders, parent organizations, and school districts in which the program operates may require specific information to ensure accountability and to document impact. It is therefore extremely important for program administrators to talk to key stakeholders before developing an information-management plan. Consent forms, student records, and follow-up letters to parents all should be designed with the program’s data-collection needs in mind.
