The relationship between pit and fissure sealant (PFS) experience and the socio-economic factors of adolescents before and after coverage by National Health Insurance (NHI) / 대한구강보건학회지

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to review the relationship between pit and fissure sealant (PFS) experience and the socio-economic factors of adolescents before and after coverage by National Health Insurance (NHI). METHODS: Our sources were the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Surveys from 2008 and 2014. The variables used were PFS experience, demographic factors, socio-economic factors, and oral health-related behaviors. RESULTS: PFS experience was higher in 2014 than in 2008. The relationship between PFS experience and socio-economic factors was significant in both 2008 and 2014. Although the inequity of PFS experience among adolescents was reduced as PFS was included in NHI coverage, a disparity still exists. CONCLUSIONS: Even after NHI coverage included PFS, the policies to reduce the inequity of PFS experiences among adolescents should be further devised. In addition, a longitudinal study is recommended to determine the relationship between PFS experience and various socio-economic or behavioral factors.