Attitudes of general practitioners towards fissure sealant use
Call, R.L.; Mann, J.; Hicks, J.
Clinical Preventive Dentistry 10(2): 9-13
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0163-9633 PMID: 3248359 Document Number: 325893
The purpose of this study was to analyze the attitudes and utilization patterns of general practitioners in Colorado with regard to pit and fissure sealants and compare those findings to previous studies. A total of 765 general practitioners and pedodontists were sent questionnaires regarding the self-perception of those using sealants, the provider who usually places sealants, the number of years in practice, the reasons form nonutilization of sealants, and the interest in continuing education courses addressing sealants. Over 73% of general practitioners were found to be routine or occasional users of sealants with a significant relationship between usage and year of graduation. The three most frequently noted reasons for limited use were: 1) procedure is not covered by insurance (17.3%); 2) it is possible to seal over decay (12.5%); and 3) the sealants do not last (11.3%). Dissatisfaction with sealants was found to be higher among dentists who graduated prior to 1965. A significant relationship was found between attendance of a continuing education course on sealants and degree of their use. It was concluded that in order to improve sealant usage, the following should be recommended: 1) encouragement of dental insurance carriers to pay for sealants through patient education and provider acceptance of proposed guidelines; 2) education of the dentists, dental students, auxiliaries, and auxiliary students on the role auxiliaries could play in placement of sealants; 3) improvement of dental auxiliaries' education on sealant; and 4) encouragement of the dental team to attend continuing education courses on sealants.