Sealants for Patients of All Ages
By Jessica August, RDH, MS, and Rachelle Williams, RDH, MS
Dental caries remains the most prevalent chronic disease in both children and adults in the United States, even though it is largely preventable. Monitoring the prevalence of caries is key to preventing and controlling oral diseases. According to a study published by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one out of five children ages 5 to 11, and one out of seven adolescents ages 12 to 19 have tooth decay. More specifically, the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research reports 42% of children ages 2 to 11 have had caries in their primary teeth, and 21% of children ages 6 to 11 have had caries in their permanent teeth.
