Although the use of and the attitude toward sealants as a caries-preventive method have improved in the 8-year period between 1974 and 1982, the acceptance still is low, considering the potential value of sealants to patients who are at risk for occlusal caries. More efforts should be directed toward both increasing dentists' and patients' understanding and appreciation of the procedure in preventing caries. It is possible that such a "good sell" has been done with fluorides and oral hygiene that patients do not understand the added value of sealants for the prevention of occlusal caries. Dentists appear to underrate the value of sealants and overrate the value of oral hygiene procedures in the control of caries. Given that some dentists have less-than-positive attitudes toward sealants, it may not be enough to wait for the transmission of knowledge regarding sealants to proceed through the practicing dentist to the patient. Both patient and dentist groups need further appreciation of the value of this procedure if the control of occlusal caries is to be maximized.