PIT AND FISSURE SEALANTS - ANOTHER MAJOR CORNERSTONE IN PREVENTIVE DENTISTRY

Despite dramatic reductions in caries in fluoridated communities, the disease continues to occur during childhood and adolescence and there is a sustained caries susceptibility of pits and fissures. Pit and fis sure sealants have been available to the dental profession for the pas t two decades. Closely following community water fluoridation, this us e of adhesive technology is now recognized as a major cornerstone of m odern preventive dentistry. However, the technique appears to have bee n slow in implementation by the dental profession. Recent expanded uti lization of sealants in the public sector, particularly in Victoria, h as increased the awareness of the procedure amongst the public and is heightening demand. A review of the pertinent literature and current t rends in utilization of sealants is presented. The case is made for ex panded utilization of sealants in both the public and private sectors of dental health care delivery in Australia.