Retention rate and methods for improving pit and fissure sealant programs in Thailand

Abstract

Pit and fissure sealant are effective in preventing dental caries. Pit and fissure sealant programs have
been undertaken in Thailand for more than 15 years. This article aims to review retention rate of sealant
and methods for improving sealant retention rate in Thailand. In developed countries, complete sealant
retention rates for one and two years after placement were 87-91 and 67-85 percent respectively. However,
complete sealant retention rates for one and two years after placement in Thailand were 20-63 and 9-42
percent respectively. Factors that proved to cause of loss of the sealant in Thailand included inadequate
moisture control due to no dental assistant, ineffectiveness of the suction, contamination of water or oil during
drying the tooth, ineffectiveness of the curing light, insufficient light and fatigue of the sealant provider due
to overload of number of patients. Continuing education and evidence-based guidelines have been used to
improve sealant technique but the sealant loss rates were still high. Audit and feedback of practice perform-ance has been shown to be a significant means of improving health personal’s behavior. Therefore, using
audit and feedback may improve the quality of sealant programs in Thailand.