Are pit and fissure sealants needed in children with a higher caries risk?
The aim of this cross-sectional study was to analyse the preventive need of pit and fissure sealants (PFS) in a German population with a relatively high caries risk. The study involved 311 8- to 12-year-old children from the Ennepe-Ruhr District in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Caries experience was scored according to WHO (1997) and ICDAS II criteria. PFS were assessed as intact or partially lost. The mean DFS values amounted to 0.5 for occlusal fissures, 0.2 for palatal/buccal pits and 0.3 for the remaining teeth. Non-cavitated caries lesions were recorded in average on 1.8 occlusal fissures and 1.5 palatal/buccal pits. Sealants were registered on 1.4 occlusal fissures and 0.4 palatal/buccal pits. The descriptive data and the adjusted Poisson regression models revealed that children with at least one fissure sealant are less likely to have decayed fissures or fissures with non-cavitated lesions on their permanent molars. Therefore, PFS are needed and indicated in caries-risk children.
Public Dental Health Office, Schwelm, Germany.
Susanne
S
Berger
Inka
I
Goddon
Chih-Mei
CM
Chen
Helga
H
Senkel
Reinhard
R
Hickel
Lutz
L
Stösser
Roswitha
R
Heinrich-Weltzien
Jan
J
Kühnisch
D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004245:DMF Index; D001840:Dental Bonding; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003733:Dental Caries Susceptibility; D003750:Dental Fissures / Q000517:prevention & control; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants; D005260:Female; D005459:Fluorides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005460:Fluorides, Topical / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005858:Germany; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012571:School Dentistry; D012923:Social Class; D014099:Toothbrushing; D014100:Toothpastes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D035862:Vulnerable Populations
D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D005460:Fluorides, Topical; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants; D014100:Toothpastes; D005459:Fluorides