关键词：牙科密封剂；牙齿健康；口腔卫生；医药
摘 要：We examined the proportion of rural children who have received dental sealants, thin plastic materials applied to the surface of the teeth to prevent or delay the development of dental decay. Our principal source of information was the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP) of the Census Bureau (2001-2004 panel, the most recent SIPP version available when the project was initiated), which asked parents about childrens teeth. To confirm findings based on parental report, we also examined dental results from the 2003-2004 National Health And Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), which are based on professional examination of childrens teeth.