[Sale and use of fluoride tablets in Norway]

Fluoride tablets and lozenges have been marketed in Norway since 1963. Until 1971, the consumption was very moderate and less than one per cent of the children between 0 and 12 years of age used fluoride tablets or lozenges. In 1971 a campaign of information was started. Since then it has been a marked increase in the sale (Fig. 1). Estimated from the sale figures, about 15--20 per cent of all Norwegian children used fluoride tablets or lozenges in 1974. There were, however, rather large variations between the different counties (Table 1). In the present paper, the importance of giving fluoride supplement from early childhood is emphasized. The role of dentists, physicians, dental hygienists, and health nurses in promoting dental health in children is discussed.