Three-year effect evaluation of pit-and-fissure sealing of the first permanent molars in Henan provincial children / 中国学校卫生

ABSTRACT

Objective@#To examine the retention rate and caries prevention effect of fit-and-fissure sealants after 3 years of children oral disease comprehensive intervention program in Henan province.@*Methods@#For each of the five provincial regions attending the program in 2015, two classes from grade 2 in four primary schools were selected. Children in two schools were assigned into intervention group and the first permanent molars which were appriopriate for sealing were sealed with pit-and-fissure sealants. Children in other two schools were included in the control group and the first permanent molars were only examined for caries conditions. Three years later, retention rate of pit-and-fissure sealants and the dental caries prevalence was compared.@*Results@#Complete retention rate of sealants in the first permanent molars was 65.55% and the whole retention rate was 94.78%. The caries incidence and mean value of the first permanent molars in the intervention group children was 9.71%, (0.12±0.40) respectively whereas those in control group was 21.90%, (0.39±0.78) respectively. The differences between two groups were statistically significant(χ2/t=27.76, 6.91, P<0.01). The relatively effective rate of sealing for caries reduction was 63.43% and the actural effective rate was 6.51% and the pure yield rate of sealing was 12.19%. Higher sealant retention rate was associated caries prevalence(χ2=153.28, P<0.01).@*Conclusion@#Childhood oral disease intervention project in Henan Province shows positive effects. Sealing of the first permanent molars effectively prevent dental pit and fissure caries.