Dental pit and fissure sealants: implications for school health personnel

While tooth decay among schoolchildren has declined in recent years, 95% of all schoolchildren still experience tooth decay. School-based fluoride rinse programs have made a significant contribution to the decrease in tooth decay. Pit and fissure sealants, one other preventive dentistry measure, also fight tooth decay. A pit and fissure sealant placed on the chewing surfaces of permanent molars acts as a barrier and protects caries-prone areas of the teeth. For sealants to be effective, it is important that school health educators, nurses, and administrators have the dental health knowledge necessary to make informed decisions about school-based dental sealant programs. Examples of successful programs are discussed.