Water fluoridation and Sealants

• Prospective (mean 2 years) cohort study of children in Australia

• 789 children (mean age = 10.5 years) with one sealed permanent first molar at baseline, while the paired surface was diagnosed as sound.

• The caries incidence of the fissure sealed occlusal surfaces was 5.6% compared to 11.1% for sound surfaces (p < 0.001); a 50% reduction in caries incidence for sealed vs non-sealed surfaces.