Evaluation of Effectiveness of Silver Diamine Fluoride in Arresting Early Childhood Caries: A Prospective Study

Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is a minimally invasive option for the arrest of early childhood caries (ECC). Its usage has been associated with significant reductions in caries progression, providing a cost-effective solution in pediatric dental care. This research aims to evaluate the efficacy of SDF compared to sodium fluoride varnish in arresting ECC in preschool children.

This randomized controlled trial included 120 preschool children aged 2-5 years with diagnosed ECC. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either 38% SDF application or sodium fluoride varnish. The primary outcome was caries arrest rate, measured at 6 months. Secondary outcomes included parental satisfaction and child "oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL)". Data analysis was performed using Chi-square and t-tests for comparison between groups.

At the 6-month follow-up, children who received SDF treatment demonstrated a significantly higher caries arrest rate (85%) compared to those who received sodium fluoride varnish (50%) (P < 0.05). Parents reported higher satisfaction with the SDF treatment group, and improvements in OHRQoL were observed across both groups.

SDF is a highly effectual treatment for arresting ECC in preschool children, offering a more efficacious option compared to traditional fluoride varnish treatments. Its application is well accepted by parents and positively impacts children's OHRQoL.