DISCUSSION
In the present study, efficacy was viewed in terms of the retention of sealants along with prevention of caries on the sealed surfaces of molar teeth in denti- tions considered to be at high risk for dental caries. On first permanent molars (completely retained sealants), 79% per cent of all sealed surfaces were sound. This suggests that sealants continue to prevent caries when they appear clinically completely retained.
The ideal way of evaluating quality of the sealants would be to evaluate all patients on whom sealants have been placed, and follow them over time for seal-