A proposed method for assessing the quality of sealants - the CCC Sealant Evaluation System

Objectives: The aim of this paper is to introduce the C (colour) C (coverag e) C (caries) Sealant Evaluation System and to present results of its use o n a sample of adolescent patients in Scotland. Methods: Baseline data are p resented from a 3-year prospective study in general dental practices across Scotland. Subjects were examined under standardised conditions by one trai ned and calibrated examiner. Results: 78.6% of the subjects had one or more sealed teeth, over half of these sealants being judged inadequate. There w as a low prevalence of dentine caries associated with the sealed teeth (2.8 %). The CCC sealant Evaluation System proved practical as demonstrated by i ts use during the project and had substantial intra-examiner reproducibilit y. Conclusions: There was a high level of sealant provision; however, this provision may not be optimal in terms of both targeting of provision and se alant maintenance. The CCC sealant Evaluation System appeared to be a usefu l assessment tool for assessing sealed surfaces.