Colorado pit and fissure sealant survey: attitudes toward and use of pit and fissure sealants by Colorado general dentists

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to conduct a survey of Colorado general dentists regarding the use of and attitudes toward pit and fissure sealants. The survey consisted of a questionnaire to determine the utilization levels of sealants by general dentists, reasons for limited placement or non-utilization of sealants, whether sealant placement was delegated to dental auxiliaries or not, and if continuing education courses on sealants had been attended by the dentists and/or their dental auxiliaries. A total of 544 completed questionnaires were available for study. The results indicated that sealants were used by 82.7% of the dentists. Approximately 70% of the practitioners reported that they utilized sealants either routinely or occasionally. Reasons for limited placement or non-utilization of sealants were, in descending order: 1) Not covered by insurance; 2) Inadvertent sealing in of caries; 3) Sealants do not last; 4) Sealants too expensive; 5) Not familiar with sealant technique; 6) Sealants not effective. Placement of sealants was delegated as follows: 1) Dentists, 64.8%; 2) Hygienists, 17.8%; 3) Assistants, 17.4%. Continuing education courses had been attended by 29.1% of the dentists surveyed. Only 6.6% of the dentists indicated that their staff had attended continuing education courses on sealant placement. A relatively high percentage of Colorado dentists are utilizing sealants on a frequent basis. Major reasons for limited usage or non-utilization of sealants relates to lack of insurance coverage and concern regarding sealing in of caries. A need for continuing education courses on sealants appears to exist.