The prevalence of pit and fissure sealants among twelve year olds living in Puerto Rico during 1997.
OBJECTIVE
to estimate the prevalence of pit and fissure sealants on first permanent molars in twelve year olds living in Puerto Rico and to further evaluate dental sealant prevalence by (1) urban/rural and public/private school status as well as (2) gender;


METHODS
population-based, cross-sectional study.


METHODS
public and private schools encompassing the 11 health regions of Puerto Rico.


METHODS
a probabilistic sample of 12-year old school attendees in Puerto Rico representing a population of approximately 70,000.


METHODS
during April through December 1997, the first permanent molars of 1435 subjects were evaluated by visual and tactile methods for the presence of dental sealants.


RESULTS
the data collected revealed that 4.3% of 12 years olds presented at least one permanent first molar sealed. A statistically significant difference (p = 0.01) between urban-public (2.5%), rural-public (3.39%) and urban-private (11.0%) schools was observed. The prevalence of sealants was higher in males (5.5%) than females (2.9%); (p = 0.02).


CONCLUSIONS
the prevalence of dental sealants in the first permanent molars of 12-year olds living in Puerto Rico during 1997 (4.3%) is lower than that reported in the United States (18.5%). Sealant prevalence was higher in males and students attending (urban) private schools.
Elías-Boneta
Augusto R
AR
University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, School of Dentistry Research Center, P.O. Box 365067 San Juan, Puerto Rico. aelias@rcm.upr.edu
Herrero
Rosana Hanke
RH
Psoter
Kevin
K
Toro Vizcarrondo
Carlos E
CE
Psoter
Walter J
WJ
D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008963:Molar; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants; D015995:Prevalence; D011647:Puerto Rico; D012424:Rural Population; D012574:Schools; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014505:Urban Population
D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants