title: The use of dental sealants in adults: a long-neglected preventive measure.
abstract: The consensus among the general public appears to be that dental sealants are intended to be used primarily with children whose teeth are in the early developmental stage, yet little attention is given to the preventive long-term aspects when applying them to adult permanent dentition. This article explores the rationale and substantiates the use of dental sealants among the adult population in reducing occlusal pit-and-fissure caries while accentuating a beneficial oral health lifestyle.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Health Practice, University of Kentucky College of Dentistry, Lexington, KY 40536-0297, USA. drgore2@uky.edu
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Gore
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016321:Dental Care for Aged / Q000379:methods; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003756:Dental Hygienists / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019229:Dentition, Permanent; D055094:Evidence-Based Dentistry; D006801:Humans; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants