An 11-year follow-up study of dental caries after discontinuation of school-based fluoride programs.
The purpose of the present study was to determine whether the caries-preventive effect of school-based programs with fluoride (F) mouthrinsing or toothbrushing was evident at the end of a post-treatment follow-up period of 11 years. Two groups of subjects examined at 14 years of age (born in 1960), who had participated in fortnightly F rinsing (n = 52) or in F brushing 4-5 times a year at school (n = 50), were re-examined radiographically and completed a questionnaire at age 25 years. A comparison group of 25-year-olds (n = 51) was also included. Analyses of variance showed that the benefits of participation in school-based F programs seem to have been lost. It appears that these caries-preventive programs have delayed rather than prevented caries and that F toothpaste and other caries-preventive efforts have been insufficient to avert a substantial caries activity during the follow-up period.
Haugejorden
O
O
Department of Community Dentistry, University of Bergen, Norway.
Lervik
T
T
Birkeland
J M
JM
Jorkjend
L
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D004245:DMF Index; D003729:Dental Care; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D005459:Fluorides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D009067:Mouthwashes; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D015995:Prevalence; D012571:School Dentistry; D014100:Toothpastes
D009067:Mouthwashes; D014100:Toothpastes; D005459:Fluorides