A randomised controlled trial to determine the effectiveness of glass ionomer sealants in pre-school children.

A randomised controlled trial to determine the effectiveness of glass ionomer sealants in pre-school children. Chadwick BL, Treasure ET, Playle RA. Caries Res. 2005 JanFeb;39(1):34-40. Department of Dental Health and Biological Sciences, Dental School, University of Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff, CF14 4XY, UK. Chadwickb1@cardiff.ac.uk

BACKGROUND: Caries levels in pre-school children remain high in some areas of the UK. Studies of glass ionomer fissure sealants show their potential for caries prevention in permanent teeth, but their use in primary teeth has not been reported.

AIM: To determine whether a glass ionomer fissure sealant placed on primary molars in pre-school children at high risk of developing dental caries can decrease the incidence of dental caries. MATERIAL: 508 children aged 18-30 months from high caries areas of South Wales with caries-free first primary molars were recruited to the trial after informed consent.

METHODS: This was a placebo-controlled individual randomised controlled trial (RCT). All children (n = 508) received a standard package of dental health education. Children in the test group (n = 241) had their first primary molars sealed with glass ionomer. All the children were re-examined once at varying intervals between 12 and 30 months.

RESULTS: Analysis of the caries data revealed no significant difference between test and control groups for any of the parameters examined. Examination of the confidence intervals showed no indication that there might be a difference even if the sample size had been increased.

CONCLUSION: There is no evidence that the intervention as used in this population had any effect on caries incidence and it cannot be recommended as a clinical procedure.