: Evaluation of Initial Caries Score and Caries Incidence in a Public Health Sealant Program: A Retrospective Study

Department of Pediatric Dentistry
Lutheran Medical Center

Resident’s Name: Laura Randazzo Sabnani Date: March 13, 2009
Article title: Evaluation of Initial Caries Score and Caries Incidence in a Public Health Sealant Program: A Retrospective Study
Author(s): Makhija, S et al.
Journal: Pediatric Dentistry
Volume (number): 28:5
Month, Year: 2006
Major topic: Success of Sealant
Minor topic(s:
Type of Article: Retrospective
Main Purpose: To investigate the relationship between the dmft/DMFT score and the success of a Sealant
Overview of method of research: Children aged 5.5 to 15 years old, were examined twice by the school-based sealant program between 1997 and 2002, and had least one sealant placed on a permanent first molar were included in the study. The dentist diagnosed the need for a sealant, a hygienist (94%) or a senior dental student placed the sealants and all sealants were checked that day by the supervising dentist. Follow-up visits ranged from 6 months to 5 years. Teeth were then classified as a success if the tooth that was sealed initially now was still completely or partially sealed or was caries free, or a failure if the tooth appeared carious or restored on the second examination.
Findings: For the primary dentition and permanent dentition, for teeth that were examined within the first year of placement there was no difference between a dmft/DMFT of 0 or a dmft/DMFT>0. After a follow-up period of more than 1 year children with a dmft/DMFT of 0 were half as likely to have a sealant failure than children with a dmft/DMFT score of >0.
Key points/Summary: Children with a high caries risk are more likely to get caries on teeth that were sealed after the first year of placement and should be monitored regularly. Assessment of article: Interesting to note that if the sealant was partially present or no longer there it was still considered a success.