Dental Sealants Decrease Risk of Tooth Decay by 80% in Permanent Molars
New report by leading dental associations also shows dental sealants are more effective than other treatments in reducing and preventing childhood cavities
According to @AmerDentalAssn, sealants are an effective therapy for preventing cavities in children and teens. Tweet
PR Newswire, CHICAGO, August 1, 2016
A new systematic review and updated clinical practice guideline from the American Dental Association (ADA) and American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) show dental sealants are a powerful and effective therapy in the fight against childhood dental decay and disease. The systematic review, “Sealants for Preventing and Arresting Pit-and-Fissure Occlusal Caries in Primary and Permanent Molars,” in conjunction with, “Evidence-based Clinical Practice Guideline for the Use of Pit-and-Fissure Sealants,” are available now in the August issue of the Journal of the American Dental Association, as well as the July/August issue of AAPD’s Pediatric Dentistry Journal.
Although tooth decay is largely preventable, it remains the most common chronic disease of children aged 6 to 11 years (21 percent), and adolescents aged 12 to 19 years (58 percent), based on data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) report of 2011-2012. The systematic literature review evaluated the use and effectiveness of dental sealants – a therapy that has been around for more than five decades – as a preventive strategy for reducing dental disease in children, analyzing outcomes such as caries incidence, sealant retention and possible adverse effects.
“Sealants are a proven and effective therapy for preventing cavities in children and teens. Oral disease can greatly impact one’s concentration and self-esteem and contributes to more than 51 million hours of missed school each year,” said lead author Timothy Wright, D.D.S., M.S. “The joint report reaffirms that sealants should be a routine part of cavity prevention, as children with sealants are up to 80 percent less prone to cavities compared to those without them.”
Dental sealants are applied to pits and fissures of posterior teeth, known as molars, and act as a barrier to keep the decay causing bacteria from the tooth.1 Sealants not only prevent new decay but can also stop existing initial decay from developing into a cavity.
“The new guideline gives clear direction for dentists to best use sealants to improve the oral health of their patients,” Dr. Wright said.
To read the systematic review and download the guideline, click here. For patient friendly information to help your practice, download the JADA patient page here, or visit www.MouthHealthy.org and www.mychildrensteeth.org.
Editor’s Note: Follow the ADA and AAPD on Twitter: @AmerDentalAssn & @AmerAcadPedDent
REFERENCES FOR INTERNAL REVIEW
1 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dental Sealants. As accessed on June 20th, 2016 at http://www.cdc.gov/OralHealth/publications/resources/burdenbook/pdfs/DS_factsheet.pdf
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About the American Dental Association
The not-for-profit ADA is the nation's largest dental association, representing more than 159,000 dentist members. The premier source of oral health information, the ADA has advocated for the public's health and promoted the art and science of dentistry since 1859. The ADA's state-of-the-art research facilities develop and test dental products and materials that have advanced the practice of dentistry and made the patient experience more positive. The ADA Seal of Acceptance long has been a valuable and respected guide to consumer dental care products. The monthly The Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA) is the ADA's flagship publication and the best-read scientific journal in dentistry. For more information about the ADA, visit ADA.org. For more information on oral health, including prevention, care and treatment of dental disease, visit the ADA’s consumer website MouthHealthy.org.
About the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry is the recognized authority on children’s oral health. As advocates for children’s oral health, the AAPD promotes evidence-based policies and clinical guidelines; educates and informs policymakers, parents and guardians, and other health care professionals; fosters research; and provides continuing professional education for pediatric dentists and general dentists who treat children. Founded in 1947, the AAPD is a not-for-profit professional membership association representing the specialty of pediatric dentistry. Its 9,900 members provide primary care and comprehensive dental specialty treatments for infants, children, adolescents and individuals with special health care needs. For further information, visit the AAPD website at http://www.aapd.org or the AAPD’s consumer website at http://www.mychildrensteeth.org.
Media Contacts
Natalie Cammarata
American Dental Association (ADA)
[email protected]
312.440.2806
Erika Hoeft
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD)
[email protected]
312.337.2169