Through participation in rational, comprehensive preventive programs, completely caries-free dentitions are now a possibility for many adults (Horowitz, 1980). Because of the uniqueness of pit and fissure caries sealants need to be considered for children as one necessary component in such total preventive programs. If the goal of a population free of caries is to be achieved, effective oral hygiene measures, including the use of therapeutic dentifrices, systemic or topically applied fluorides and dietary supervision are other components that should be considered in such a program (Ripa, 1978). Safety and effectiveness of pit and fissure sealants have been clearly established. Cost-effectiveness, however, whether in a private practice or public health setting is a factor of legitimate concern. From the 'Conference on Pit and Fissure Sealants: Why Their Limited Usage?' conducted by the Council on Dental Materials, Instruments and Equipment of the American Dental Association in May 1981, a number of recommendations resulted. Their implementation will help overcome scepticism regarding sealant use. Included in the recommendations are (a) a greater emphasis upon the use of sealants in dental education curricula, (b) development of specific guidelines for sealant use and maintenance, (c) continued long term studies under different program formats and (d) dissemination by the profession, as it did with fluorides, of valid information regarding sealant use (Brown, 1981). Regarding pit and fissure sealants, the apparent consensus from scientific data and clinical practice would suggest that we should be using these materials for our child patients knowledgeably, selectively and with precise application methods.
通过参与合理、全面的预防计划，现在许多成年人有可能拥有完全无龋的牙列（霍洛维茨，1980年）。由于窝沟龋的独特性，窝沟龋封闭剂需要被视为这类全面预防计划中儿童的一个必要组成部分。如果要实现无龋人群的目标，有效的口腔卫生措施，包括使用治疗性牙膏、全身或局部应用氟化物以及饮食监督，是这类计划中应考虑的其他组成部分（里帕，1978年）。窝沟封闭剂的安全性和有效性已得到明确证实。然而，无论是在私人诊所还是公共卫生环境中，成本效益都是一个值得合理关注的因素。1981年5月，美国牙科协会牙科材料、器械与设备委员会举办了“窝沟封闭剂研讨会：为何其使用受限？”，得出了一些建议。这些建议的实施将有助于克服对封闭剂使用的怀疑态度。建议包括：（a）在牙科教育课程中更加强调封闭剂的使用；（b）制定封闭剂使用和维护的具体指南；（c）在不同项目形式下持续进行长期研究；（d）像推广氟化物那样，由专业人士传播关于封闭剂使用的有效信息（布朗，1981年）。关于窝沟封闭剂，科学数据和临床实践的明显共识表明，我们应该明智、有选择地并以精确的应用方法为儿童患者使用这些材料。
