Clinical evaluation of sealants and preventive resin restorations in a group of environmentally homogeneous children.

Purpose: Pit and fissure sealants reduce occlusal caries when proper patient selection and application techniques are followed. To increase retention rate of sealants over time, good adaptation and deep sealant penetration are important. Studies remain inconclusive, however, as to determining if the bur preparation of pits and fissures would increase the adaptation and penetration thus improving sealant retention.

Increasing general dentists' provision of care to child patients through changes in the undergraduate pediatric dentistry program.

Reduced caries rates and an increased percentage of children with dental insurance have made it more difficult for dental schools to provide undergraduates with sufficient numbers of pediatric dental patients requiring restorative procedures. This may result in graduates who are not competent and are reluctant to treat children after graduation. To ensure the quality of the undergraduate clinical training program, the Division of Pediatric Dentistry at the University of Manitoba changed from a comprehensive-based clinic to a block system in 1998-99.