[A trial of performing dental caries prevention in preschoolers with fluoridated salt]

Fluorinated salt was added to rations of preschool children for preventing dental caries. The program was implemented in 1411 children for 1 year, in 1438 for 2 years, in 1070 for 3 years, and in 1056 children for 4 years. The study was carried out in children attending kindergartens in Minsk, Mogilev, Mozyr, Nesvizh, and Baranovichi. Due to fluorinated salt, the incidence and intensity of caries decreased. In the group given fluorinated salt for 2 years, the incidence of caries decreased by 4.96% (p < 0.001), its intensity by the CDL (carious-decayed-lost) index by 14.71%, and by the CPL (caries-prostheses-lost) index by 12.99%. Three-year consumption of fluorinated salt decreased the incidence of caries by 8.07% (p < 0.001), its intensity by the CDL index by 23.86%, and by the CPL index by 23.93%. In children using fluorinated salt for 4 years, these values decreased by 12.56 (p < 0.001), 32.80, and 29.64%, respectively. Hence, fluorinated salt can and should be used for preventing dental caries in collective bodies of preschool children.