Utah's parent, teacher, and physician sealant awareness surveys

The Year 2000 Oral Health Objective 13.8 reads, "Increase to at least 50% the proportion of children who have received protective sealants on the occlusal surfaces of permanent molar teeth." In order to develop the next phase of Utah's continuing sealant promotion program directed towards meeting this objective, the Dental Health Bureau surveyed parents, teachers, and physicians in 1992.

Parents of 3,355 first- and sixth-grade students in a stratified random sample of 25 Utah urban and rural schools were surveyed to determine sealant awareness and placement. In 20 elementary urban and rural schools, 471 teachers were surveyed to determine their source of dental health knowledge and their dental unit subject matter. Five hundred ninety-six physicians were surveyed to determine their knowledge of sealants. The results of the parent and teacher surveys were analyzed using chi-square to determine statistically significant differences between urban and rural respondents. The physician results are reported in percentages.

The parental response rate was 32%, teacher response rate was 37%, and physician response rate was 44%. Between 73% and 81% of the parents knew about sealants and 40% to 47% have had sealants placed on a child's teeth. The most frequently mentioned source of knowledge about sealants was the dentist or dental hygienist. Fewer rural than urban parents had heard about dental sealants and had insurance that covered sealants. Of the teachers who taught dental health, most taught brushing/flossing, sugar avoidance, and annual dental visits. Only a few taught about sealants. Most of the teachers received their information from a Dental Health Bureau newsletter or from their dentist or dental hygienist. When questioned about their knowledge of sealants, 68% of the physicians indicated they were unfamiliar with them. Eighty-four percent requested professional information and 65% requested patient information.

The dental hygienist as a preventive healthcare professional is a frequent source of sealant information. Parents, physicians, and teachers need up-to-date oral health information. Dental hygienists can be instrumental in achieving the Year 2000 Oral Health Objective on dental sealants by promoting awareness in the public sector and by placing dental sealants.