title: Dentists' levels of evidence-based clinical knowledge and attitudes about using pit-and-fissure sealants.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although the prevalence of pit-and-fissure sealants in children in the United States is low, the problem is magnified in low-income children. A small proportion of Florida's low-income children receive any preventive dental services, including sealants. The authors conducted a cross-sectional study to assess whether Florida's dentists provide sealants as a preventive measure in their practices, their attitudes and their levels of evidence-based clinical knowledge about appropriate sealant use according to the American Dental Association (ADA) recommendations. The authors also assessed whether the number of years since graduation and reliance on peers or colleagues for regular clinical information were associated with dentists' knowledge.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors administered a 25-item pretested questionnaire to a convenience sample of general and pediatric dentists (n = 163) at the 2013 Florida National Dental Convention in Kissimmee, Fla. The authors conducted multivariate linear regression modeling to predict dentists' levels of evidence-based clinical knowledge.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Years since graduation (P = .2) and reliance on peers or colleagues for regular clinical information (P = .6) did not predict higher knowledge. Male dentists (P = .003) and those who accepted children enrolled in Medicaid as new patients (P = .01) had significantly more knowledge compared with their counterparts.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most participating dentists used sealants in their practices and had high levels of positive attitudes about using sealants. Overall knowledge regarding the appropriate use of sealants, however, was low.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For practicing dental professionals, the authors recommend disseminating evidence-based recommendations for the use of dental sealants via continuing education courses and other possible modalities. They also recommend that dental schools update their existing courses or modules about sealants by integrating the ADA's recommendations.
authors.affiliation: Dr. Govindaiah was a pediatric dental resident, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, College of Dental Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., when this article was written.
authors.forename: Sirisha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Govindaiah
authors.affiliation: Dr. Bhoopathi is an assistant professor, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, College of Dental Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, 3200 S. University Drive, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 33328-2018, e-mail Vinodh.Bhoopathi@nova.edu. Address correspondence to Dr. Bhoopathi.
authors.forename: Vinodh
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bhoopathi
mesh_terms: D000571:American Dental Association; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003815:Dentists / Q000523:psychology*; D055094:Evidence-Based Dentistry; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants
keywords: Dental sealants; attitudes; dentists; evidence-based knowledge; preventive dentistry