Research Article

Dental Sealants: Knowledge, Value, Opinion, and Practice among Dental Professionals of Bathinda City, India

Table 3

Frequency of responses regarding knowledge, value, opinion, and practice.

DisagreeNeutralAgree

Knowledge
 I think that the effectiveness of fissure sealants is supported by strong scientific evidence035 (22.4)121 (77.6)
 There is scientific evidence for the restorative use of dental sealants2 (1.2)41 (26.3)113 (72.5)
 I am familiar with the technique of placing dental sealants20 (12.7)4 (2.6)132 (84.7)
 I believe that fissure sealants should be reviewed after placement6 (3.8)18 (11.7)132 (84.7)
 I understand the instructions for placing sealants7 (4.5)16 (10.3)133 (85.2)
 I think that sealants should only be used on newly erupted teeth31 (19.9)44 (28.2)81 (51.9)
 I think that sealants wear out easily29 (18.6)27 (17.3)100 (64.1)
 I believe that you must perform a caries risk assessment to prevent overtreatment041 (26.3)115 (73.7)
 Pit and fissure sealants have adverse effects44 (28.2)56 (35.9)56 (35.9)
 I believe the technique of applying a sealant is the most important aspect to the success of the treatment1 (0.6)24 (15.4)131 (83.9)
 I agree that resin sealants are more effective than glass ionomer sealant033 (21.2)123 (78.8)
Value
 I think this technique takes time to do correctly4 (2.5)43 (27.6)109 (69.8)
 The materials that are used for the placement of sealants are very expensive46 (29.5)12 (7.7)98 (62.8)
 I do not use sealants very often as a preventive method because its effect is short lived35 (22.4)23 (14.7)98 (62.8)
 Fissure sealants are used less than they should be14 (9.0)19 (12.2)123 (78.8)
 The dental staff at my clinic/work place communicates importance of using sealants to the patients3 (1.9)30 (19.2)123 (78.8)
Opinion
 It is difficult to explain to patients what dental sealants are21 (13.4)41 (26.3)94 (60.3)
 It is difficult to justify the cost of sealants to parents21 (13.4)10 (6.4)125 (80.2)
 I think my patients understand the benefits of using sealants1 (0.6)29 (18.6)126 (80.8)
 It is necessary to promote the use of sealants amongst dentists and dental educators033 (21.2)123 (78.8)
 I use dental sealant because it is easy to apply and patients find it comfortable2 (1.2)59 (37.9)95 (60.9)

Never SometimesAlways

Practice
 Do not use due to possibility of sealing over caries24 (15.4)12 (7.7)120 (76.9)
 Use as restorative material to restore incipient caries6 (3.8)18 (11.5)132 (84.6)
 Use along with fluorides7 (4.5)16 (10.3)133 (85.3)
 Do not reapply in case of partial or complete loss0 22 (14.1)134 (85.9)
 Proper isolation020 (12.8)136 (87.2)
 Proper acid etching020 (12.8)136 (87.2)
 Not following specific guidelines5 (3.2)19 (12.18)132 (84.6)