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Supervised weekly rinsing with a 0.2% neutral NaF solution: results from a demonstration program after three school
Journal of the American Dental Association (1939)
|April 1, 1980
Summary
A school-based fluoride mouth rinse program significantly reduced tooth decay in children. Weekly rinsing with sodium fluoride (NaF) over three years lowered caries prevalence by approximately 30%.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Preventive Dentistry
Background:
- Dental caries remains a significant public health issue among children.
- Fluoride has a well-established history of preventing tooth decay.
- School-based programs offer a practical approach to delivering preventive dental interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a school-based fluoride mouth rinsing program.
- To assess the impact of weekly neutral sodium fluoride (NaF) rinses on caries prevalence in schoolchildren.
Main Methods:
- A school-based fluoride rinsing program was implemented in 1975.
- Children in grades 3-7 participated in weekly supervised rinses with a 0.2% neutral NaF solution.
- Data on caries prevalence (DMFS and DMFT) were collected after three years of participation.
Main Results:
- Participants who rinsed for three years showed a 30.9% reduction in decayed, missing, or filled surfaces (DMFS).
- A 28.5% reduction in decayed, missing, or filled teeth (DMFT) was observed.
- The most significant caries reduction was on proximal surfaces (48.7%), followed by buccolingual (30.0%) and occlusal (28.2%) surfaces.
- Increased duration of the fluoride rinsing program correlated with greater benefits.
Conclusions:
- School-based fluoride mouth rinsing is an effective method for reducing dental caries prevalence in children.
- The program demonstrated significant benefits, particularly for interproximal tooth surfaces.
- The positive effects of fluoride rinsing are dose- and duration-dependent.