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The results after 20 months of a study testing the efficacy of a weekly fluoride mouthrinsing program
Insights
Weekly rinsing with a 0.2% sodium fluoride (NaF) solution significantly reduced cavities in first-graders. This preventive dental care approach lowered decay by 34.2% in permanent teeth and 57.5% in primary teeth.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Preventive Dentistry
- Caries Research
Background:
- Dental caries remains a significant public health issue, particularly in non-fluoridated communities.
- Effective preventive strategies are crucial for protecting children's oral health.
- Fluoride mouthrinses have shown potential in caries prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the efficacy of weekly 0.2% sodium fluoride (NaF) mouthrinsing in preventing dental caries among first-grade children.
- To compare caries increments between children using NaF mouthrinse and a control group receiving semiannual fluoride varnish treatments.
Main Methods:
- A school-based study involving first-grade children in a non-fluoridated area.
- Children were assigned to either a weekly 0.2% NaF mouthrinse group or a control group receiving fluoride varnish.
- Examinations were conducted by blinded, standardized examiners over two academic years (approximately 72 weeks).
Main Results:
- The NaF mouthrinse group showed a 34.2% reduction in decayed, missing, or filled surfaces (DMFS) compared to the control group (1.33 vs. 2.02 surfaces).
- Significant reductions were observed on occlusal (35%), buccal (19%), and lingual (14%) surfaces.
- In primary dentition, the NaF group had a 57.5% reduction in decayed or filled surfaces (dfs) (0.74 vs. 1.74).
Conclusions:
- Weekly 0.2% NaF mouthrinsing is an effective method for reducing dental caries in first-grade children.
- This preventive intervention offers substantial protection against caries development in both primary and permanent dentition.
- NaF mouthrinsing can be a valuable public health tool for caries prevention in school-aged children.
Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of weekly mouthrinsing with a 0.2 percent NaF solution in first-grade children living in a non-fluoridated community. Children in the control group were also participants in a randomized clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of semiannual fluoride varnish treatments. Children allocated to the mouthrinse group attended school at three of the 17 area schools where the varnish study was occurring. Random allocation of children into the treatment group was considered impractical because of potential problems of teacher cooperation and compliance. The same two standardized examiners examined all participants, and were blind to group assignment for all children. After two academic years, or approximately 72 weeks of rinsing, 178 and 247 children remained in the treatment and control groups, respectively. The control group experienced a mean caries rate of 2.02 surfaces over 20 months, while the treatment group demonstrated an increment of only 1.33 surfaces, representing a savings of about 0.34 surfaces per year or a reduction in DMFS of 34.2 percent. Surface-specific incremental reductions after 20 months were 0.35, 0.19, and 0.14 for the occlusal, buccal, and lingual surfaces, respectively. The proximal increment was too small to draw any meaningful conclusions. In the primary dentition, the treatment and control dfs increments were 0.74 and 1.74, respectively. This reduction represents a savings of one-half surface increment per year, or a reduction of 57.5 percent.