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...ildren in the United States have dental sealants on their permanent molars (ADA, 1997). Also, Kim Loos, DDS, states “a 1994 study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association showed that sealants help reduce the incidence of occlusal decay by approximately 95% over a 10 year period with regular routine checkups” (Foreman, JADA, February 1994, pp.182-186). Unfortunately, parents are either uneducated regarding the benefits of sealants, or some insurance companies do not readily accept sealants as a covered benefit, making them unaffordable for children with low-income parents. However, state dental Medicaid programs have 33 states that offer some form of coverage, whether it is 100% reimbursement or coverage for first permanent molars only (ADA News Release, 1997). In general, all sealants are applied using the same technique. The teeth that benefit the most from sealants are the premolar and molar pit and fissure areas sealt soon after eruption. The technique consists of cleaning, isolating, etching, applying and curing the product. This process takes only a few minutes to complete. Different brands of sealants contain varying properties. Sealants may be light polymerized, or auto-polymerized. Some sealants are opaque while others are clear or contain fluoride while others do not. According to an article published in the American Dental Hygienist Association, light-polymerized, opaque sealants, containing fluoride are preferred. Light polymerized sealants cure in only 15 seconds and require no mixing, as opposed to auto-polymerized which require a considerably longer curing time and need premixing (ADHA, 2000). A study, conducted by The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research has shown that opaque sealants only have a 1.4% error rate as opposed to clear sealants with an error rate of 22.8% (ADHA, 2000). Although, the benefits of fluoride have yet to be proven as effective in sealants, it is believed that it’s presence may help to re-mineralize the tooth surface and prevent decay. Some sealants may contain a reaction that produces a bi-product known as bisphenol-A (BPA). There is controversy surrounding the release of this byproduct, which has an estrogen-like effect that can leach out in sealants. The ADA states, “that of the 12 brands of dental sealants that currently carry the ADA Seal of Acceptance, 11 of t...