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Fluoridated salt for caries prevention and control - a 2-year field study in a disadvantaged community
Inger Wennhall1, Samara Hajem, Susanna Ilros
1Public Dental Service, Region Skåne, Malmö, Sweden.
Background:
Salt fluoridation is considered a cost-effective community strategy for reducing caries.
Aim:
To evaluate the effect of school-based and domestic distribution of F-salt to schoolchildren residing in a disadvantaged community.
Design:
Seven hundred and thirty-three schoolchildren (12-14 years), attending two public schools, were enrolled; one was assigned to intervention (IS), whereas the other served as reference (RS). Subjects in IS were given access to F-salt (250 ppm F) in marked jars at school lunch and through free supply for domestic use. The 2-year caries increment and progression rate, assessed from bitewing radiographs, was scored. Information on diet, oral hygiene, and fluoride exposure was collected through a baseline questionnaire.
Results:
The dropout rate was high (IS 27%; RS 18%). At baseline, the IS children displayed more unfavourable risk factors and a higher caries experience than RS children. There were no significant differences in total caries increment or proximal progression rate between the two schools. A negative correlation (r = -0.29; P < 0.05) between the amount of delivered salt and the caries progression rate was, however, noted. No side effects were reported.
Conclusions:
F-salt was not effective in this setting. Still, the findings indicate that salt may be a beneficial source of fluoride in schoolchildren provided that compliance can be secured.
