Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine differences in DMFT scores among adolescents with sealants, exposed or not exposed to second hand smoke. Nevada adolescents' smoking exposure, with and without sealants, and their DMFT (decayed, missing, filled teeth) scores were analyzed using data from a one-year cohort from the Nevada Oral Health Cancer Screening Program.

Methods: Subjects (N=9226) were enrolled in public middle and high schools. Using a cross sectional study design, trained and calibrated personnel determined DMFT scores. Self-reported smoking exposure was collected with a study survey. Univariate analyses were used to determine the DMFT scores for those with and without sealants controlling for exposure to second hand smoke.

Results: Subjects (N=3045) were exposed to second hand smoke while others (N=6181) were not. A significant difference was found between those with sealants and those without controlling for second hand smoke exposure (F=86.283, p<.001). Upon further investigation, subjects with sealants exposed to second hand smoke (Ex=2.55) had a lower mean DMFT score than their counterparts who lacked sealants (Ex=4.28). Those not exposed to second hand smoke but with sealants also had a lower mean DMFT score (Ex=1.95) than their counterparts who lacked sealants (Ex=3.46).

Conclusion: Despite having sealants, those adolescents who were exposed to second hand smoke had a higher DMFT score than those who were not. There was an association between second hand smoke and the presence of sealants in these subjects. Public health interventions designed to improve oral health should consider this environmental factor in promoting sealants as an oral health preventive measure by evaluating the effect of second hand smoke. Data for this study were provided by The Fund for A Healthy Nevada Grant.

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