2. The effect of fluoride? The effect of sealants? The Cochrane Review estimated that the caries-preventive effect ranges from 87% at 12 months to 60% at 48–54 months, but heavily depends on sufficient retention of the sealant. Ahovuo-Saloranta et al., 2008

3. Tooth brushing with fluoridated toothpaste is the first choice to control caries development. Tooth brushing twice a day with a 1,450–1,500 ppm fluoridated toothpaste by trained parents and/or children, supplemented with 2–4 topical fluoride applications annually are advisable in order to control occlusal caries development during the eruption period Marinho VC, Higgins JP, Logan S, Sheiham A: Fluoride gels for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2002; 2:CD002280. Marinho VC, Higgins JP, Sheiham A, Logan S: Fluoride toothpastes for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2003; 1:CD002278.

4. Pit and fissure sealant program in Lithuania

5. Childrens pit and fissures sealants program financing in Lithuania

6. Number of services provided during pit and fissure sealant program in 2006 – 2010

8. Year200420052006200720082009 Participants in pit and fissure sealant program as share of total 6-13 population (%) 11.811.2815.613.3815.4513.83

9. K. Saldūnaitė, A. Pūrienė, S. Milčiuvienė, V. Brukienė, J. Kutkauskienė. Analysis of dental caries prevention program in 7–12-year-old Lithuanian schoolchildren Medicina (Kaunas) 2009; 45(11)

10. 7-8 years old12 years old 1999 -200133.774.6 200720.466.9 164.000 participated in pit and fissure program Presuming that sealants are the main means to prevent caries, the effectiveness of the program among 7-8 year-old is 1:8,62 Presuming that sealants are the main means to prevent caries, the effectiveness of the program among 12 year-old is 1:12,8 teeth of more than 8 children should be sealed for one kid to avoid caries among 7-8 year-old teeth of more than 12 children should be sealed for one kid to avoid caries among 12 year-old The prevalence of dental caries

11. Conclusions by independent agency for health care evaluation Pit and fissure program implemented in Lithuania in August 2004 – September 2007 prevented from caries 19-31,8 thousand children aged 7-13. Taking into account the results of the program in 2004-2007 it was expected that continuation of the program in 2008-2009 will decrease caries for 28-47 thousand children (10-17 % of all 7-13 population). Program did not ensure equal participation opportunities, it had no clear goals set at the beginning, costs and utility ration is unacceptable. Program had a economic and social effect. It is advised to continue the program, including monitoring of the results every 2-3 years via epidemiological surveys. Programs funds should also be used to promote healthy lifestyle, teaching of oral hygiene and use of topical fluoride.