title: Caries-inhibiting effect of professional fluoride gel application in low-caries children initially aged 4.5-6.5 years.
abstract: It was the purpose of the study to investigate the caries-reducing effect of semi-annual professional fluoride gel application in a low-caries child population initially aged 4.5-6.5 years during a 4-year follow-up period. In a double-blind randomised controlled trial (n = 773) the effect of sodium fluoride gel on D3MFS and d3mfs was compared with a placebo gel. The mean caries reduction of professionally applied fluoride gel after 4 years in subjects with baseline caries experience D3MFS = 0 as well as d3mfs = 0 was 0.08 D3MFS (SE = 0.06) and 0.36 d3mfs (SE = 0.22). The prevented fraction for D3MFS and d3mfs was 26% (SE = 16%) and 20% (SE = 11%), respectively. It was concluded that in the investigated low-caries 4.5- to 6.5-year-olds, fluoride gel treatment showed a statistically significant (tested one-sided) caries-inhibiting effect on D3MFS, which was considered not clinically relevant, and no significant effect on d3mfs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive and Community Dentistry and Pedodontology, University of Nijmegen UMCN, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: van Rijkom
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Truin
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: van 't Hof
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003733:Dental Caries Susceptibility; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000517:prevention & control; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005460:Fluorides, Topical / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010919:Placebos; D012969:Sodium Fluoride / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014099:Toothbrushing
chemical_list: D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D005460:Fluorides, Topical; D005782:Gels; D010919:Placebos; D012969:Sodium Fluoride