An investigation into sealant restoration usage in general dental practice in England.
OBJECTIVE
A study was undertaken to investigate attitudes to sealant restorations and their usage in general dental practice in England.


METHODS
Seventy three dentists in three areas (Doncaster, Hereford/Worcester and Wycombe) provided retrospective details of treatment provided over a one year period for 4,250 6-12 and 13-15 year old subjects. Fifty nine of these dentists then completed a telephone questionnaire relating to their treatment patterns and attitudes to sealant restorations.


RESULTS
The treatment data indicated that only 59 of the 4,250 children received a sealant restoration during the study period. Of the 44 dentists who claimed in the questionnaire to be using sealant restorations, only 28 had placed them in their selected patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Positive attitudes to sealant restorations were expressed but also concerns that may be prejudicing usage.
Hassall
D C
DC
University Dental Hospital of Manchester, UK. dominishassall@yahoo.com
Mellor
A C
AC
D000293:Adolescent; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002648:Child; D003188:Composite Resins; D004739:England; D005792:General Practice, Dental; D005899:Glass Ionomer Cements; D006801:Humans; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants; D019239:Practice Patterns, Dentists' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D003188:Composite Resins; D005899:Glass Ionomer Cements; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants