Dear RDH:
I read with astonishment Trisha O`Hehir`s article in the December 1996 issue. Although I heartily agreed with her concern in evaluating new products by all office staff members, I most certainly disagree with her philosophy of primary and secondary prevention.
In our dental hygiene program, we teach that sealants and fluorides are most definitely primary prevention measures and not secondary vehicles. We support our ideas using philosophy of Jong and Esther Wilkins. If we, as hygienists and educators, do not recognize these primary preventive mechanisms to prevent decay, then we have bought into the notion that newer products are better than the tried and true!
Nancy J. Sommer, RDH, MS
Erie Community College
Williamsville, New York
Editor`s Note: We shared Ms. Sommer`s letter with the author. Ms. O`Hehir responded, "Thank you for your letter, pointing out an error in the article. I agree completely. Fluoride and sealants are most definitely part of primary prevention. I apologize for the error."
