Introduction

Dental caries is a prevalent oral health issue that has a significant impact on the worldwide population. This condition is characterized by a range of etiological variables, and exhibits a higher prevalence in pediatric and young adult age groups.

Objectives

The objective of this work was to compare the effectiveness of two prevention methods in reducing the incidence of first permanent molar caries among schoolchildren aged 6-8 years.

Material and methods

This randomized clinical trial included 210 subjects. Schoolchildren were selected from elementary schools in Hidalgo State, Mexico. Subjects were divided into two groups: pit and fissure sealant was used on the first permanent molars in the first group (Clinpro© 3M, Saint Paul, MN, USA), and fluoride varnish (Duraphat© Colgate, New York, USA) in the second group. The incidence of dental caries was measured during a six-month period. Non-parametric tests (χ2, Mann-Whitney U test, and Fisher’s exact test) were utilized in statistical analyses with Stata package.

Results

The mean age of participants was 7.25 ± 0.80 years, with a basal dmft (average number of decayed, missing, and filled primary teeth) of 3.35 ± 3.45. At the six-month follow-up, there was a loss to follow-up of 15.7%. Statistical analysis revealed a larger number of caries-free molars in the group treated with pit and fissure sealant, but only in 16 (87.6%) and 36 (85.6%) molars when compared with the group treated with fluoride varnish: 16 (73.3%) and 36 (69.2%) molars.

Conclusions

The pit and fissure sealant treatment is found to be partially more effective than fluoride varnish. Pit and fissure sealant and fluoride varnish can be effectively applied as preventive methods in any permanent posterior teeth.