Fissure Sealant Priority Children — ORE Part 1 MCQ

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EasyDental Public Health & EpidemiologyFissure Sealant Priority ChildrenORE Part 1

According to current UK dental guidance, which children should be prioritised for fissure sealants on permanent first molars?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: D — Children assessed as having increased caries risk

Explanation lettering: D = shown as A · C = shown as B · E = shown as C · A = shown as D · B = shown as E

The best answer is A. SDCEP advises that decisions about fissure sealants are individual and risk dependent. Children assessed as having increased caries risk should receive enhanced prevention, which includes sealing pits and fissures of permanent molars soon after eruption or when risk increases. Caries elsewhere, deep fissures and difficulty cleaning may further favour sealant placement. B reverses the preventive priority: absence of previous caries does not itself identify increased risk. C is incorrect because additional needs alone do not determine indication; risk assessment remains necessary, although cooperation may influence technique. D is wrong because first permanent molars erupt at about 6 years and sealants should not be deferred. E is too absolute: current UK guidance requires an individualised decision rather than automatic placement for every child.

Reference: Scottish Dental Clinical Effectiveness Programme (SDCEP). Prevention and Management of Dental Caries in Children: Professionally-delivered interventions, current guidance. https://www.childcaries.sdcep.org.uk/guidance/caries-prevention/professionally-delivered-interventions/