Seal Cambodia – Analysis of Results after One Year

Objective:  The SEAL CAMBODIA project aims to place fissure protection (“sealants”) using Glass Ionomer Cement on the first permanent molars of 60,000 Grade 2 children. Method:  A random sample was selected using cluster sampling at class level from those who were sealed (intervention) and non-sealed (control). Data were collected on dental caries and sealant retention. Result:  At base line there were 682 children (433 intervention and 249 control) with a mean age of 8.1 years (SD 1.1). At the one-year follow-up 419 (61.4%) of children were re-examined. There were no significant differences in the baseline caries and sociodemographic characteristics of the children who attended for follow-up and those who did not. There was no significant difference at baseline between the two groups with respect to age and gender. There was a significant difference at baseline in mean dmft (P=<0.01; Kruskal-Wallis) by group membership: mean dmft for control, 7.5 (SD 4.1); mean dmft for intervention, 8.1 (SD 3.8). There was a difference in first molar caries increment (MCI) by intervention group and by caries experience; low caries category, 1.0 (SD 1.2) for the control group, 0.7 (SD 0.9) for the intervention group; medium caries category, 1.2 (SD 1.3) in the control group, 1.1 (SD 1.2) in the intervention group and; high caries category, 0.9 (SD 1.1) in the control group, 0.9 (SD 1.1) in the intervention group. There was a significant difference in sealant retention by age. The mean number of retained sealants was: 0.9 (SD 1.5) for 6-year-olds, 0.9 (SD 1.2) for 7-year-olds, 1.7 (SD 0.9) for 8-year-olds, 0.4 (SD 0.9) for 9-year-olds. Conclusion: There is some evidence that the intervention is having a positive effect on caries increment in first permanent molars; however, this effect is moderated by previous caries experience and the age of the participants.