IADR Abstract Archives
Dental Sealant Use in Adults and Children: Preliminary Qualitative Findings
Objectives: Dental sealants can be used for preventing and treating dental caries in both children and adults. Despite evidence that they are effective, safe, and inexpensive, there are barriers to widespread use. This study investigated the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of dental practitioners about the use of dental sealants in their practices.
Methods: A brief 4-question survey (“Quick Poll”) was conducted amongst dental practitioners who were members of the National Dental Practice-Based Research Network. Participants were asked whether they believed dental sealants were effective in preventing and/or arresting pit and fissure caries in children and in adults, who applied sealants in their practices, how frequent they placed sealants in their adult patients, and the reasons for not recommending sealants more frequently.
Results: Almost all respondents agreed that sealants are effective in preventing pit and fissure caries in children and adolescents (96%), compared with 65% for adults. Fewer dentists agreed that sealants were effective in arresting non-cavitated occlusal caries in children (55%) and adults (43%), and 62% of dentists agreed that sealants seldom caused adverse events in patients. The majority of respondents reported placing dental sealants in their practice (95%), and the placement was done by dentists (65%), hygienists (62%) and dental assistants (26%). 80% reported placing sealants on less than 25% of adult patients. The most common barriers to not recommending sealants for adults patients were uncertainty about recommendations/guidelines for sealants in adults (36%), low patient acceptance (34%) and potential sealant leakage (28%).
Conclusions: This preliminary study points to the low utilization of dental sealants in adults and the uncertainty in clinical guidelines for sealant application. Understanding these barriers is a first step in developing interventions to promote sealant use for children and adults and for arresting incipient occlusal dental caries.
Methods: A brief 4-question survey (“Quick Poll”) was conducted amongst dental practitioners who were members of the National Dental Practice-Based Research Network. Participants were asked whether they believed dental sealants were effective in preventing and/or arresting pit and fissure caries in children and in adults, who applied sealants in their practices, how frequent they placed sealants in their adult patients, and the reasons for not recommending sealants more frequently.
Results: Almost all respondents agreed that sealants are effective in preventing pit and fissure caries in children and adolescents (96%), compared with 65% for adults. Fewer dentists agreed that sealants were effective in arresting non-cavitated occlusal caries in children (55%) and adults (43%), and 62% of dentists agreed that sealants seldom caused adverse events in patients. The majority of respondents reported placing dental sealants in their practice (95%), and the placement was done by dentists (65%), hygienists (62%) and dental assistants (26%). 80% reported placing sealants on less than 25% of adult patients. The most common barriers to not recommending sealants for adults patients were uncertainty about recommendations/guidelines for sealants in adults (36%), low patient acceptance (34%) and potential sealant leakage (28%).
Conclusions: This preliminary study points to the low utilization of dental sealants in adults and the uncertainty in clinical guidelines for sealant application. Understanding these barriers is a first step in developing interventions to promote sealant use for children and adults and for arresting incipient occlusal dental caries.