Hostname: page-component-84b7d79bbc-c654p Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-07-25T16:47:53.733Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Pit and Fissure Sealants: An Underutilized Preventive Technology

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 March 2009

Leonard D. Cohen
Affiliation:
University of Maryland Dental School

Extract

The dramatic decrease in dental caries among children in the United States has been well documented and widely reported. In the early 1970s, only approximately 28% of children were free of dental caries; by 1980, this figure increased to 36.6% (53). The most recent national survey results reported by the National Institute of Dental Research found approximately 50% of all school children to be free of caries (50).

Type
Special Section: Assessing the Technology of Dentistry, Part I
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1990

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

1.American Dental Association. Dental education in the United States –1976. Chicago: American Dental Association, 1977.Google Scholar
2.American Dental Association, Council on Dental Materials and Devices and Council on Dental Therapeutics. Pit and fissure sealants. Journal of the American Dental Association, 1971, 82, 1101–03.Google Scholar
3.Bader, J. D., Sams, D. H., & O'Neil, E. H.Estimates of the effects of a statewide sealant initiative on dentists' knowledge and attitudes. Journal of Public Health Dentistry, 1987, 47, 186–92.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
4.Badner, V. M., & Rosenberg, D.Dentist use patterns for pit and fissure sealants and topical fluorides. Journal of Dental Education, 1986,50, 656–60.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
5.Bohannan, H. M.Reactor paper. Journal of Public Health Dentistry, 1982, 42, 331–36.Google Scholar
6.Boudreau, G. E., & Jerge, C. R.The efficacy of sealant treatment in the prevention of pit and fissure dental caries: A review and interpretation of the literature. Journal of the American Dental Association, 1976, 92, 383–87.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
7.Bowen, R. L.Composite and sealant resins — past, present, and future. Pediatric Dentistry, 1982, 4, 1015.Google ScholarPubMed
8.Bowen, R. L., Rupp, N. W., & de Rijk, W. G.Safety considerations, oral and systemic. Journal of Dental Education, 1984, 48, 3234.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
9.Bridget, M., Bernet, J. K., Chovanec, G. K. et al. , Dental hygienists' knowledge, opinions, and use of pit and fissure sealants: A comparison of two states. Journal of Public Health Dentistry, 1987, 47, 121–33.Google Scholar
10.Call, R. L., Mann, J., & Hicks, J.Attitudes of general practitioners toward fissure sealant use. Clinical Preventive Dentistry, 1988, 10, 913.Google Scholar
11.Callanen, V. A., Weintraub, J. A., French, D. P., & Connolly, G. N.Developing a sealant program: The Massachusetts approach. Journal of Public Health Dentistry, 1986, 46, 141–46.Google Scholar
12.Chapko, M. K.Diffusion of knowledge in dentistry — the pit and fissure sealant conferences. International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care, 1988, 4, 309–18.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
13.Cohen, L., LaBelle, A., & Romberg, E.The use of pit and fissure sealants in private practices: A national survey. Journal of Public Health Dentistry, 1988, 48, 2635.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
14.Cohen, L., Romberg, E., & LaBelle, A.Dental school experience with sealants and its effect on sealant use in practice. Journal of Dental Education, 1987, 51, 546–49.Google Scholar
15.Cohen, L., Romberg, E., & LaBelle, A.The influence of dental practice characteristics on pit and fissure sealant use: A national survey. Journal of Dental Practice Administration, 1988, 5, 125–32.Google ScholarPubMed
16.Cohen, L., Romberg, E., & LaBelle, A.Pit and fissure sealant use in private practice: Influence of state practice acts. American Journal of Public Health, 1988, 78, 316–17.Google Scholar
17. Conference on Pit and Fissure Sealants: Why Their Limited Usage? Consensus summary of the conference, American Dental Association, Council on Dental Materials, Instruments and Equipment, 05 11, 1981.Google Scholar
18. Consensus development conference statement on dental sealants in the prevention of tooth decay. Journal of American Dental Association, 1984, 108, 233–36.Google Scholar
19.Council on Dental Research. Cost-effectiveness of sealants in private practice and standards for use in prepaid dental care. Journal of the American Dental Association, 1985, 110, 103–07.Google Scholar
20.Cueto, E. I., & Buonocore, M. G.Sealing of pits and fissures with an adhesive resin: Its use in caries prevention. Journal of the American Dental Association, 1967, 75, 121–28.Google Scholar
21.Faine, R. C., & Dennen, T.Survey of private dental practitioners' utilization of dental sealants in Washington State. Journal of Dentistry for Children, 1986, 53, 337–42.Google Scholar
22.Fitzgerald, D. M., & Bowman, P. A. Utah dentists' sealant usage survey. Paper presented at the American Public Health Association meeting, 09 29, 1986.Google Scholar
23.Frazier, P. J.Use of sealants: Societal and professional factors. Journal of Dental Education 1984, 48(Suppl.), 8095.Google Scholar
24.Frazier, P. J., & Glasrud, P. H.Public awareness and sources of information about sealants. Journal of Dental Research, 1986, 65(Special Issue), 340.Google Scholar
25.Fraizer, P. J., & Horowitz, A. M. Factors influencing adoption of caries preventive methods. Paper presented at the Joint Program on Caries Prevention in Dental Education, Behavioral Science and Community Preventive Dentistry Sections, American Association of Dental Schools, 03 13, 1984.Google Scholar
26.Gift, H. Technology transfer of pit and fissure sealants. In Proceedings of the Conference on Pit and Fissure Sealants: Why their limited usage? Chicago, IL: American Dental Association, 1981.Google Scholar
27.Gift, H., Frew, R., & Hefferren, J.Attitudes toward and use of pit and fissure sealants. Journal of Dentistry for Children, 1975, 42, 460–66.Google Scholar
28.Gift, H. C., & Frew, R. A.Sealants: Changing patterns. Journal of the American Dental Association, 1986, 112, 391–92.Google Scholar
29.Glasrud, P. H.Insuring preventive dental care: Are sealants included? American Journal of Public Health, 1985, 75, 285–86.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
30.Glasrud, P. H., Frazier, P. J., & Horowitz, A. M.Insurance reimbursement for sealants in 1986: Report of a survey. Journal of Dentistry for Children, 1987, 54, 8188.Google ScholarPubMed
31.Going, R. F.Sealant effect on incipient caries, enamel maturation, and future caries susceptibility. Journal of Dental Education, 1984, 48, 3541.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
32.Gonzalez, C. D., Frazier, P. J., & Messer, L. B.Sealant knowledge and use by pediatric dentists: 1987 Minnesota survey. Journal of Dentistry for Children, 1988, 55, 434–40.Google Scholar
33.Gwinnett, A. The status of pit and fissure sealants — a question of safety. Paper presented at Conference on Pit and Fissure Sealants: Why Their Limited Usage? American Dental Association, Council on Dental Materials, Instruments and Equipment, 05 11, 1981.Google Scholar
34.Horowitz, A., & Frazier, P.Issues in the widespread adoption of pit and fissure sealants. Journal of Public Health Dentistry, 1982, 42, 312–23.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
35.Horowitz, A. M., & Thomas, H. B., eds. Dental caries prevention in public health programs; proceedings of a conference. Bethesda, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, NIH, 1981.Google Scholar
36.Horowitz, H.Pit and fissure sealants in private practices and public health programmes: Analysis of cost-effectiveness. International Dental Journal, 1980, 30, 117–26.Google Scholar
37.Houpt, M. I., & Shey, Z.Cost-effectiveness of fissure sealant placement. Journal of Preventive Dentistry, 1980, 6, 710.Google Scholar
38.Hunt, R. J., & Kohout, F. J.Predicting the adoption of pit and fissure sealants. Journal of Dental Research, 1983, 62 (Special Issue), 234.Google Scholar
39.Hunt, R. J., Kohout, F. J., & Beck, J. D.The use of pit and fissure sealants in private dental practices. Journal of Dentistry for Children, 1984, 51, 2933.Google Scholar
40.Jerrel, R. G., & Bennett, C. G.Utilization of sealants by practicing pedodontists. Journal of Pedodontics, 1984, 8, 378–88.Google Scholar
41.Kale, J., & Nathanson, D.A survey of usage and parents' attitude and knowledge of dental sealants. Journal of Dental Research, 1987, 66 (Special Issue), 179.Google Scholar
42.Lang, W. P., Faja, B. W., Woolfolk, M. W. et al. , Elementary schoolteachers' knowledge and attitudes about oral health. Journal of Dental Research, 1987, 66 (Special Issue), 299.Google Scholar
43.Lang, W. P., Weintraub, J. A., Choi, C., & Bagramian, R. A.Fissure sealant knowledge and characteristics of parents as a function of their child's sealants status. Journal of Public Health Dentistry, 1988, 48, 133–37.Google Scholar
44.Leverett, D. Restrictions of state dental practice acts regarding placement of pit and fissure sealants. Paper presented at the Conference on Pit and Fissure Sealants: Why Their Limited Usage? American Dental Association, Council on Dental Materials, Instruments and Equipment, 05 11, 1981.Google Scholar
45.Leverett, D. H., Handelman, S. L., Brenner, C. M., & Iker, H. P.Use of sealants in the prevention and early treatment of carious lesions: Cost analysis. Journal of the American Dental Association, 1983, 106, 3942.Google Scholar
46.Martens, L. V., Glasrud, P. H., & Gambucci, J. R.Changes in sealant use by general practitioners in private practice. Quintessence International, 1987, 18, 5357.Google Scholar
47.Mertz-Fairhurst, E. J.Current status of sealant retention and caries prevention. Journal of Dental Education, 1984, 48, 1826.Google Scholar
48.Morawa, A. P., & Straffon, L. H.A survey on the use of sealants. Journal of Michigan Dental Association, 1984, 66, 6367.Google Scholar
49. National Conference on Caries Prevention in Public Health Programs — II. Bethesda, MD. Sponsored by the National Caries Program, National Institute of Dental Research, 09 1981.Google Scholar
50.NIDR Research Digest. National Institute of Dental Research, 05 1989.Google Scholar
51.Nielsen-Thompson, N. J., & Boyer, E. M.Sealant application frequency. Clinical Preventive Dentistry, 1988, 10, 1722.Google ScholarPubMed
52.Pit and fissure sealant use: An issue explored. Journal of the American Dental Association, 1984, 108, 310–22.Google Scholar
53. Prevalence of Dental Caries in United States Children, 1979–1980. National Caries Program, National Institute of Dental Research, 12 1981.Google Scholar
54. Preventing pit and fissure caries: A guide to sealant use. Massachusetts Departmentof Public Health, 1986.Google Scholar
55. Proceedings of a Symposium on Pit and Fissure Sealants. Is it time for a new initiative? Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the International Association for Dental Research, New Orleans, LA, 03 1982.Google Scholar
56. Report of the Working Group on Preventive Dental Services. Preventive dental services, practices, guidelines and recommendations. Minister of National Health and Welfare. 09 1979.Google Scholar
57.Ripa, L.Sealants: Training and education needs for dental students and dental auxiliary students. Journal of Dental Education, 1984, 48(Suppl.), 6065.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
58.Ripa, L. W.The current status of occiusal sealants. Journal of Preventive Dentistry, 1976, 3, 614.Google Scholar
59.Ripa, L. W.Reaction paper. Journal of Public Health Dentistry, 1982, 42, 327–30.Google Scholar
60.Rock, W. P.The effectiveness of fissure sealant resins. Journal of Dental Education, 1984, 48, 2731.Google Scholar
61.Romberg, E., Cohen, L., & LaBelle, A.Importance of variables associated with practitioners' estimates of pit and fissure sealant use. Journal of Public Health Dentistry, 1988, 48, 138–46.Google Scholar
62.Romberg, E., Cohen, L. A., & LaBelle, A. D.A national survey of sealant use by pediatric dentists. Journal of Dentistry for Children, 1988, 55, 257–64.Google Scholar
63.Rubenstein, L. K., & Dinius, A.Dental sealant use in Virginia. Journal of Public Health Dentistry, 1986, 46, 147–51.Google Scholar
64.Scheirton, L.Training and educational needs in pit and fissure sealant application for graduate dental personnel: Continuing education and certification courses. Journal of Dental Education, 1984, 48(Suppl.), 6674.Google Scholar
65.Selwitz, R. H. Use of pit and fissure sealants in School District No. 2 of Richland County, South Carolina: A public perspective. South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, 1987.Google Scholar
66.Silverstone, L. M. The current status of adhesive fissure sealants. In Dental Caries Prevention in Public Health Programs, Bethesda, MD: National Institutes of Health, 1981.Google Scholar
67.Silverstone, L. M.The use of pit and fissure sealants in dentistry, present status and future developments. Pediatric Dentistry, 1982, 4, 1621.Google Scholar
68.Stamm, J. W.Reaction and discussion of papers. Journal of Public Health Dentistry, 1982, 42, 324–27.Google Scholar
69. Survey finds low use of dental sealants. NIDR Research Digest, National Institute of Dental Research, 1989.Google Scholar
70.Swift, E. J.The effect of sealants on dental caries: A review. Journal of the American Dental Association, 1988, 116, 700–04.Google Scholar
71.Terkla, L. The use of pit and fissure sealants in United States dental schools. Paper presented at the Conference on Pit and Fissure Sealants: Why Their Limited Usage? American Dental Association, Council on Dental Materials, Instruments and Equipment, 05 11, 1981.Google Scholar
72.Tysowsky, P., & Frazier, J. Pit and fissure sealants: Manufacturers' marketing strategies. Paper presented at 112th Annual Meeting of the American Public Health Association, Number 1984.Google Scholar
73. Use of fissure sealants in public health programs: A forum. Presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Public Health Association. Montreal, Quebec, 11, 1982.Google Scholar
74.Weintraub, J. A., & Burt, B. A.Prevention of dental caries by the use of pit and fissure sealants. Journal of Public Health Policy, 1987, 8, 542–60.Google Scholar