Effect of povidone-iodine on Streptococcus mutans in children with extensive dental caries.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this pilot project was to determine the effect of a 10% povidone-iodine solution on plaque Streptococcus mutans and on incidence of new caries in young children following dental rehabilitation under general anesthesia.


METHODS
Twenty-five children ages 2 to 7 years, scheduled for dental treatment under general anesthesia, were enrolled. Children in the experimental group (N = 13) had povidone-iodine applied 3 times at 2-month intervals. Control children (N = 12) had no treatment. Plaque samples were taken from all children at baseline, 6 months and cultured for total bacteria and S mutans. Dental examinations were conducted at baseline, 6 months, and 1 year.


RESULTS
Experimental and control children had similar dietary habits, caries experience, and S mutans levels at baseline. All children's S mutans counts decreased significantly at 6 months (P = .003). The difference between the 2 groups was not significant (P = .58). At 1 year, 5 of 8 children in the control group had new caries compared to 2 of 11 children in the experimental group (P = .06). Povidone-iodine was well accepted by participating families.


CONCLUSIONS
Extensive one-time restorative dental treatment resulted in a significant suppression S mutans levels at 6 months. Further exploration of the role of povidone-iodine in caries management is indicated.
Amin
Maryam S
MS
Department of Oral Health Sciences, University of British Columbia, Canada. msharifz@interchange.ubc.ca
Harrison
Rosamund L
RL
Benton
Tonya S
TS
Roberts
Marilyn
M
Weinstein
Philip
P
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000382:microbiology*; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000382:microbiology*; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007466:Iodophors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011206:Povidone-Iodine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D007466:Iodophors; D011206:Povidone-Iodine