Pit and fissure sealant use in private practice: influence of state practice acts.

To study the influence of the delegation of sealant procedures to auxiliaries on sealant use, we queried a national sample of general dentists and pedodontists. A large percentage (34-58 per cent) of both groups were unaware or mistaken in their perception of the legality of delegating sealants. Although perception of legality to delegate was associated with increased sealant use, a large percentage (33-59 per cent) of both groups did not delegate even when it was perceived legal to do so.