Dental sealant knowledge, opinion, values and practice of Spanish dental hygienists

Abstract

Most dental hygienists have sufficient knowledge about pit and fissure sealants. They also acknowledge the importance of use of dental sealants and have positive opinion/attitude about using sealants. Practice of dental sealants in clinics was found adequate. However, they were not following the specific guidelines and standardized procedures.

Dental sealants: knowledge, opinion, values and practice of portuguese dental hygienists

“…When comparing the data obtained in this study with the data obtained in a previous study in Spain, 2 Portuguese dental hygienists' results tended to be better: Spanish dental hygienists had neutral -to -positive feelings and lower scores in all four categories (knowledge = 3.57 ± 0.41; value = 2.58 ± 0.77; opinion = 2.17 ± 0.42; practice = 3.56 ± 0.46). This study's practice score indicates that Portuguese dental hygienists have good practices regarding dental sealants, which are better than in other countries.…”

“…18 This multivariate analysis from Portugal found statistical differences when comparing sectors of clinical practice regarding practice. However, this was not detected in Spain, 2 where all dental hygienists, regardless of where they worked, had similar scores on practice. Both studies showed significant differences when associating the sector of clinical practice with opinions.…”

“…Dental caries is a dental hard -tissue disease of multifactorial etiology that is strongly related to sugar fermentation by bacteria present in the oral cavity, mainly streptococci and lactobacilli. 1 Ninety percent of dental caries occur in the occlusal surfaces of the posterior teeth' pits, 2 where it is easier for the bacteria to build up. 3 Dental sealants are the most common method to prevent dental caries on teeth' occlusal surfaces by creating a protective barrier on pits and fissures, therefore preventing the accumulation of bacteria responsible for the cariogenic process.…”

“…3 Dental sealants are the most common method to prevent dental caries on teeth' occlusal surfaces by creating a protective barrier on pits and fissures, therefore preventing the accumulation of bacteria responsible for the cariogenic process. 4 Despite the many studies supporting the use of dental sealants in non -cavitated occlusal surfaces of children, adolescents, and young adults, 5 in many countries, like Spain, 2,6 Greece, 7,8 Sweden, 9 Scotland, 10 and the United States of America, 11 this preventive method is little used. In Portugal, dental sealants were introduced in the late '90s, but only in 1999 did the Portuguese General Directorate of Health (Direção Geral de Saúde -DGS) release the first normative document to regulate the use of this technique.…”