Frequency and distribution patterns of sealants among 15-year-olds in Denmark in 2003.
OBJECTIVE
To provide information on the frequency and distribution patterns of sealants in the Public Dental Health Service for Children (PDHSC) in Denmark. A further aim was to determine whether there was a correlation between DMF-S and sealants.


METHODS
A cross sectional survey using data from 15-year-old Danes in 2003. SAMPLE AND SUBJECTS: The sample consisted of 50 randomly selected municipalities from the 204 municipalities with public clinics. Thirty-nine municipalities (78%) forwarded useful data. A total number of 3,184 15-year-olds were involved in the study.


RESULTS
The mean DMF-S was 2.97 (SD = 1.40) and 42% had a DMF-S = 0. The mean number of sealants was 3.06 (SD = 1.60). Two-thirds of all participants had one or more sealed surfaces. At the individual level the correlation coefficient (rs) between sealants and DMF-S was -0.05 (p < 0.01). The mean number of sealants in one municipality was 0.26, in another 6.00. The surfaces most often sealed, were the occlusal surfaces on permanent second molars (35%), closely followed by the occlusal surfaces on permanent first molars (32%). Sealants on premolars were rare (1.5%). At the municipality level there was no significant correlation between mean DMF-S, % 15-year-olds with a DMF-S = 0 and mean number of sealants (rs = 0.02 (p = 0.90) and rs = 0.06 (p = 0.73), respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
The data indicate a high use of sealants on molar teeth, a very large inter-municipality variation, no correlation between sealants and DMF-S. These findings suggest that there are no clear guidelines for use of sealants in the PDHSC in Denmark.
Ekstrand
K R
KR
Department of Cariology and Endodontics, Dental Faculty, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. kim@odont.ku.dk
Martignon
S
S
Christiansen
M E C
ME
D000293:Adolescent; D001641:Bicuspid / Q000473:pathology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004245:DMF Index; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D003729:Dental Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008963:Molar / Q000473:pathology; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011636:Public Health Dentistry / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants