A proposed method for assessing the quality of sealants--the CCC Sealant Evaluation System.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this paper is to introduce the C (colour) C (coverage) C (caries) Sealant Evaluation System and to present results of its use on a sample of adolescent patients in Scotland.


METHODS
Baseline data are presented from a 3-year prospective study in general dental practices across Scotland. Subjects were examined under standardised conditions by one trained and calibrated examiner.


RESULTS
78.6% of the subjects had one or more sealed teeth, over half of these sealants being judged inadequate. There was a low prevalence of dentine caries associated with the sealed teeth (2.8%). The CCC sealant Evaluation System proved practical as demonstrated by its use during the project and had substantial intra-examiner reproducibility.


CONCLUSIONS
There was a high level of sealant provision; however, this provision may not be optimal in terms of both targeting of provision and sealant maintenance. The CCC sealant Evaluation System appeared to be a useful assessment tool for assessing sealed surfaces.
Deery
C
C
Dental Health Services Research Unit, University of Dundee, Scotland, UK. c.h.deery@dundee.ac.uk
Fyffe
H E
HE
Nugent
Z J
ZJ
Nuttall
N M
NM
Pitts
N B
NB
D000293:Adolescent; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D003116:Color; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D019232:Dental Restoration Failure; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D015588:Observer Variation; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants / Q000592:standards* / Q000600:supply & distribution / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000379:methods; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012606:Scotland
D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants