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Thayer Scott, MPH, Health Policy and Health Services Research, Boston University, Goldman School of Dental Medicine, 715 Albany St, 560, 3rd fl., Boston, MA 02118, 617-414-1121, medchwc@bu.edu, Christine Kerle, RDH, BSDH, Adolescent Health, Boston Public Health Commission's School-Based Health Centers, 1010 Massachusetts Ave, Boston, MA 02119, Gisela Morales-Barreto, EdD, School Based Health Centers, Boston Public Health Commission, 1010 Massachusetts Ave, Boston, MA 02119, Michelle Henshaw, DMD, MPH, Department of Health Policy and Health Services Research, Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine, 715 Albany Street, Boston, MA 02118-2526, and Raul Garcia, DMD, MMedSc, Northeast Center for Research to Reduce Oral Health Disparities, Boston University, Goldman School of Dental Medcine, 715 Albany Street, 560, 3rd floor, Boston, MA 02118-2526.
Dental sealants are a commonly used child oral health indicator. However, little is known as to its use in adolescent populations.
A public health initiative, sponsored by the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC), took place at eight Boston Public Schools. Intraoral screenings were conducted by a licensed dental hygienist on adolescents enrolled in eight School Based Health Centers (SBHCs). The BSS (Basic Screening Surveys) were used to assess untreated caries, treatment urgency, sealants on permanent molars, insurance and referral status.
Between 2000 and 2003, 1024 sixth through twelfth graders underwent an initial intraoral screening and responded to a demographic survey. At their baseline dental screening, 202 (19.7%) of the children had sealants on at least one of their molar teeth and 822 (80.3%) did not. Compared to children with dental sealants, children without sealants were 3.7 times more likely to have at least 1 untreated cavity (Odds Ratio: 3.7; 95% Confidence Interval: 2.5-3.6); and were 4 times more likely to require dental referral for either early or urgent dental care (OR: 4.0; 95% CI: 2.7-5.9).
Children without sealants were 75% less likely to report having a dentist, and 73% less likely to have dental insurance. Adolescents with dental sealants were significantly less likely to have current untreated caries.
These findings suggest that absence of dental sealants might be a valuable screening indicator for dental care needs in adolescents. Future longitudinal studies are needed to address whether current sealant status can predict subsequent dental disease.
Support: NIDCR Grants:U54DE14264,K23DE00454,K23DE00419.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Adolescent Health, Oral Health Needs
Related Web page: www.creedd.org
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.