Evidence not practised: the underutilisation of preventive fissure sealants

Abstract

International and UK professional organisations, Cochrane systematic reviews, and international and UK guidance documents all support the application of preventive fissure sealants (PFSs) as an effective treatment for reducing caries. However, PFSs are well known to be underutilised in primary care. This paper collates data from PFS-relevant studies in Scotland, which has a large population of children at caries risk, to identify the beliefs and factors dentists perceive as influencing their decision not to provide this treatment. This information provides a platform to suggest how to increase the application of PFSs in this region (a standardised audit incorporating evidence-based behaviour change techniques, supplemental guidance on how to implement gold-standard recommendations in practice, training). This may also be relevant outside of Scotland, as well as to the implementation of other evidence-based behaviours in practice.