An evaluation of single and combined self-applied fluoride programs in schools

Area of Science:

• Dental Public Health
• Preventive Dentistry

Background:

• Dental caries remains a significant public health issue, particularly in school-aged populations.
• Effective preventive strategies are crucial for reducing caries prevalence and improving oral health outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a combined fluoride regimen (prophylactic paste and mouthrinse) versus individual components in reducing caries prevalence.
• To assess the impact of self-applied 2.2% phosphate fluoride prophylactic paste and 0.2% sodium fluoride mouthrinse on dental caries in schoolchildren.

Main Methods:

• A two-year school-based study comparing the caries prevalence before and after interventions.
• Interventions included: 1) twice-yearly 2.2% phosphate fluoride prophylactic paste plus weekly 0.2% sodium fluoride mouthrinse, 2) weekly 0.2% sodium fluoride mouthrinse alone, and 3) twice-yearly 2.2% phosphate fluoride prophylactic paste alone.
• Cross-sectional data were used to estimate incidence and compare prevalence at two time points.

Main Results:

• The combined fluoride regimen significantly lowered caries prevalence compared to baseline.
• Weekly 0.2% sodium fluoride mouthrinse alone also significantly reduced caries prevalence.
• Twice-yearly 2.2% phosphate fluoride prophylactic paste alone did not result in a significant difference in caries prevalence.
• The combination therapy was more effective than either individual method, with greater efficacy observed among non-white participants.

Conclusions:

• Combined use of a 2.2% phosphate fluoride prophylactic paste and 0.2% sodium fluoride mouthrinse is a highly effective strategy for caries prevention in schools.
• Weekly sodium fluoride mouthrinse is also effective, while the prophylactic paste alone showed limited benefit in this study.
• School-based programs utilizing fluoride interventions can be effectively evaluated using cross-sectional data for prevalence comparisons.