The influence of pit and fissure sealing on the oral state and behavior of 12-year-old children.

Abstract Background The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the age of 12 years as the target age for global caries detection. Insufficient mineralization, pits, and grooves on the tooth surface can lead to accumulation of food residues, increasing the risk of caries in children's newly erupted teeth, within 2–4 years. Therefore, it is important to emphasize the health of teeth in adolescents and to take measures to prevent carie. Approximately 90% of caries in children’s permanent teeth occur in the pits and fissures of posterior teeth. Pit and fissure closure procedures, carried out under the National Oral Disease Intervention Plan for Children, can effectively prevent molar cavity caries. However, Studies conducted in the past 20 years on pit and fissure sealing (PFS) have not evaluated its oral epidemiology. There are few studies on the prevention of caries of the only child, left -behind children and PFS, and the two forms of pit and fissure closure (schools and medical institutions). This study investigated the relationship between pit-and-fissure sealing and oral epidemiological factors in 12-year-old children. Methods A total of 1,205 students, aged 12 years, living in Zhejiang Province, China, were randomly selected using stratified sampling. Dental conditions were recorded and basic information about the children, including relevant family information, oral health knowledge, and behavior, was collected through questionnaires. Results The results showed that parents' status (e.g., living in urban areas, having mothers with a higher education level), oral health behavior, and knowledge level (floss use, oral health awareness that pit and fissure sealing can protect teeth, and visits to medical institutions to receive dental examinations) are factors promoting the use of pit-and-fissure sealing. The only child and left-behind children have no significant relationship with PFS, and there is no difference between the two forms of pit and fissure closure (schools and medical institutions) in caries prevention. Conclusions Our research supports the continued implementation of policies to improve the oral health of children. Financial support for school oral healthcare should be supported and a nationwide school oral health service network should be established.