Intensive fluoride varnish program in Swedish adolescents: economic assessment of a 7-year follow-up study on proximal caries incidence.
The aim of this study was to assess the long-term effect after 7 years of an intensive fluoride varnish program in the age interval 11-14 compared to a standard biannual fluoride varnish program. Special reference was made to factors explaining the individual variance in caries incidence between 11-14 and 11-17 years as well as the net benefit of the intensified fluoride varnish program. Two caries measures, one unweighted (DFS0) and one weighted (DFS1), were used. Besides three caries measures D1-D3 were used to distinguish different grades of decay where D1 is enamel lesion and D3 dentinal lesion. The results show statistically significant differences for the age interval 11-17 years according to mean values of DFS0, DFS1 and D1. Regression analyses for caries incidence in the time interval 11-14 gives only explanation (i.e. significant estimated coefficient value) for caries prevalence at 11 years of age irrespective of caries measure, but in the age interval 11-17 years regression analysis also gives explanation for the variable father's education and the fluoride preventive measures in the age interval 11-14. The cost/benefit analysis shows net total costs of 3,880 SEK and net total benefits of 5,000 SEK over a time span of 10 years discounted to 1982 using an annual discount rate of 5%.
Petersson
L G
LG
Department of Preventive Dentistry, Medical and Dental Health Center, Halmstad, Sweden.
Westerberg
I
I
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D005460:Fluorides, Topical / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D010150:Paint; D015995:Prevalence; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012969:Sodium Fluoride / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology
D005460:Fluorides, Topical; C023807:sodium fluoride topical preparation; D012969:Sodium Fluoride