title: Monitoring and evaluation of results of community fluoride programs in Norway during the 1960's and 1970's.
abstract: The purpose of this paper was to report on the introduction, functioning and results of community fluoride programs in Norway during the 1960's and 1970's. Data on the treatment carried out in the School and Public Dental Services were available in official publications. Information on systematic community topical fluoride programs for priority groups was collected by postal questionnaire from all School and Public Dental Officers. Nine variables were described and used to construct a correlation matrix. During the 1970's, there has been an increase in rinsing and professional topical application at the expense of brushing programs. Though the participation-rate increased steadily among 7--15-year-olds and had reached 60% by 1970 and 90% by 1977. the mean number of surfaces filled did not show a consistent downward trend till 1972/73. The reduction in mean number of surfaces filled form 1972 to 1976 tended to be biggest in countries with a high mean number of surfaces filled in 1972 (r = 0.79). Regional variations in mean number of surfaces filled have decreased markedly during the 1970's. Possible explanations for this and problems concerning collection of data on preventive activities are discussed.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003149:Community Dentistry; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000517:prevention & control; D003752:Dental Health Services; D005460:Fluorides, Topical / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D009664:Norway; D011636:Public Health Dentistry
chemical_list: D005460:Fluorides, Topical