title: Fluoridation 1. Effects on children's caries rates and professionally defined requirements for dental care.
abstract: In 1977, after six years of fluoridation in South Australia, 337 six year-olds with continuous fluoride-drinking-water histories had DMFT values 53.2 per cent lower and df values 48.5 per cent lower than base-line values. For five to six year-olds presenting for follow-up care in the School Dental Service in 1977, continuous intake of fluoridated water evidently had reduced: (1) the number of teeth needing restorations by 40.0 per cent; (2) the total care items required by 32.6 per cent; (3) the total time required for care by 37.5 per cent; and (4) the fee-for-service value of care required by 34.3 per cent.
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D002648:Child; D004245:DMF Index; D003729:Dental Care; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent; D005457:Fluoridation; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D009909:Oral Health; D012571:School Dentistry