Caries reductions related to the use of fluorides: a retrospective cohort study.
OBJECTIVE
To test whether topical fluoride regimes provided additional caries protection to the first molar teeth of children exposed to fluoridated toothpaste and optimally fluoridated water supplies.


METHODS
This two-year retrospective cohort study included 660, 8-year-old-children. A cluster sampling technique was used to select three groups of 220 children. Group 1 was selected from schools using fluoride mouthrinses (Programme 1). Group 2 was selected from schools applying fluoride gel (APF 1.23%) in addition to the weekly fluoride mouthrinse (Programme 2). Oral health education and oral hygiene instruction were provided to both groups. The control group was selected from schools in the same area that had not adopted any oral health preventive programme. All children were exposed to optimally fluoridated water and fluoridated toothpaste for the last two years or more. Participants were examined for DMFS scores of their first molars using WHO criteria by one examiner (MLRS).


RESULTS
The percentage caries free children in Control, Programme 1 and Programme 2 were 55%, 65% and 65.5%, respectively. The differences between Programme 1 and 2 in relation to the Control Group were statistically significant (P < 0.05). There was no difference between Programme 1 and 2 (P = 0.92).


CONCLUSIONS
Weekly fluoride rinsing combined whether or not with fluoride gel applications once every three months, provided additional caries-preventive benefits to children with high levels of caries and exposed to optimally fluoridated drinking water and toothpaste. There was no difference in caries levels between children having fluoride rinses and those having fluoride rinses and fluoride gel.
de Sousa
Maria da Luz R
Mda L
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, London, UK.
Wagner
Marcenes
M
Sheiham
Aubrey
A
D000149:Acidulated Phosphate Fluoride / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005457:Fluoridation; D005459:Fluorides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005460:Fluorides, Topical / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005782:Gels; D006267:Health Education, Dental; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D009067:Mouthwashes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015588:Observer Variation; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014100:Toothpastes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D005460:Fluorides, Topical; D005782:Gels; D009067:Mouthwashes; D014100:Toothpastes; D000149:Acidulated Phosphate Fluoride; D005459:Fluorides