title: Sealant versus Fluoride in Primary Molars of Kindergarten Children Regularly Receiving Fluoride Varnish: One-Year Randomized Clinical Trial Follow-Up.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objectives of this study were to measure the caries preventive effect of sealants applied to occlusal surfaces of primary molars compared to fluoride varnish applications, and to assess the retention rate of sealants after 1 year.
  
  
  METHODS
  147 first-grade pupils from two kindergarten schools in Kuwait, whose parents gave their written consent, were included. The children were examined by one dentist using the International Caries Detection and Assessment System. After the examination, sealants and fluoride varnish were applied on the selected occlusal surfaces of primary molars by another dentist. The jaw quadrant for intervention was selected randomly; molars on the contralateral side of the mouth received the contralateral intervention. Examinations and intervention were provided on the school premises in the mobile dental unit with a portable spotlight. Moisture was controlled by cotton rolls, suction and air drying. The follow-up examinations were conducted after 1 year. All children received fluoride varnish before and 6 months after the intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From 267 matched pairs of occlusal surfaces of primary molars, varnished surfaces were significantly more likely to develop new caries lesions than the sealed ones (odds ratio = 2.92; 95% confidence interval = 1.82-4.71) during the 1-year follow-up. The majority (73.0%) of the sealants were completely retained and 15.1% partially.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sealing fissures seems to be better in preventing occlusal caries lesions in primary molars than applying only fluoride varnish. After 1 year, the majority of sealants were retained sound.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Dentistry, Kuwait University, Kuwait, Kuwait.
authors.forename: Sisko
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Honkala
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: ElSalhy
authors.forename: Maddi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shyama
authors.forename: Sabiha A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Al-Mutawa
authors.forename: Hanan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Boodai
authors.forename: Eino
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Honkala
mesh_terms: D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003188:Composite Resins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004245:DMF Index; D001840:Dental Bonding; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D005460:Fluorides, Topical / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008963:Molar / Q000187:drug effects*; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000193:education; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous / Q000187:drug effects*; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D002327:Cariostatic Agents; C500418:Clinpro Sealant; D003188:Composite Resins; D005460:Fluorides, Topical; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants