A proposed method for assessing the quality of sealants – the CCC Sealant Evaluation System

–Objectives: The aim of this paper is to introduce the C (colour) C (coverage) C (caries) Sealant Evaluation System and to present results of its use on a sample of adolescent patients in Scotland. Methods: Baseline data are presented from a 3-year prospective study in general dental practices across Scotland. Subjects were examined under standardised conditions by one trained and calibrated examiner. Results: 78.6% of the subjects had one or more sealed teeth, over half of these sealants being judged inadequate. There was a low prevalence of dentine caries associated with the sealed teeth (2.8%). The CCC sealant Evaluation System proved practical as demonstrated by its use during the project and had substantial intra-examiner reproducibility. Conclusions: There was a high level of sealant provision; however, this provision may not be optimal in terms of both targeting of provision and sealant maintenance. The CCC sealant Evaluation System appeared to be a useful assessment tool for assessing sealed surfaces.