[Use of pit and fissure sealants in private practice: the Quebec situation]

This paper presents data collected in March of 1989 from a sample of dentists practicing in the province of Quebec. A survey was mailed to dentists in order to determine to what degree sealants are used and the various characteristics relative to the dentists in question. Other questions related to how dentists obtained information about sealants, the difficulties encountered with their application and the problems relative to their use by the dental profession. The results indicate that nearly three quarters of Quebec dentists use sealants at least sometimes. This level of usage is comparable to American findings. A dentist is more likely to use sealants, if he is a recent graduate, a female dentist, and in a child-oriented group practice. A high proportion of dentists (2/3) use sealants selectively (in less than 25% of their patients). According to the dentists surveyed, the main obstacle to using sealants is the lack of coverage by the government dental program and the public's ignorance of the benefits of sealants. Most dentists who admitted never trying sealants, reported that they simply preferred to place an amalgam filling. In general, dentists knew the indications for sealants and had a positive attitude relative to their use.