title: Caries-preventive effect of an oral health program for preschool children in a low socio-economic, multicultural area in Sweden: results after one year.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the caries-preventive effect of an oral health program for preschool children living in a multicultural, low socio-economic area. In total, 804 2-year-old children were invited and recalled every 3rd month to an outreach facility for parent education and toothbrushing instruction. In addition, fluoride tablets (0.25 mg/day) were provided free of charge. A clinical examination and questionnaire were completed at baseline and at age 3 years. The results of the intervention were compared with a non-intervention Reference group of 3-year-old children (n=217) from the same area. In the Intervention group, the 1-year attrition rate was 8.2%, and more than 90% of the children attended at least 4 of their scheduled appointments. The parents' daily assistance with toothbrushing and the use of fluoride toothpaste and tablets improved significantly during the intervention. Compared with the Reference group when the children were 3 years old, the number of children in the Intervention group who consumed frequent in-between meals and sweet drinks at night was significantly lower. Caries prevalence at age 3 was significantly lower in the Intervention group than in the Reference group (3.0 deft versus 4.4 deft; p<0.01). The number of caries-free children after the 1-year intervention was 37% in the Intervention group compared with 15% in the Reference group. The relative risk (RR) was calculated to be 2.5 (95% CI 1.8-3.4) and the number needed to treat (NNT) 4.6. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that the oral health program significantly affected the prevalence of caries and various risk factors for caries development.
authors.affiliation: Public Dental Service, Region Skåne, Malmö, Sweden. inger.wnhall@skane.se
authors.forename: Inger
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Wennhall
authors.forename: Eva-Marie
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Mårtensson
authors.forename: Ingalill
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sjunnesson
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Matsson
authors.forename: Ulla
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Schröder
authors.forename: Svante
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Twetman
mesh_terms: D018912:Arabs; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018864:Cultural Diversity; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D005459:Fluorides / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006267:Health Education, Dental; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000193:education; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education; D011204:Poverty Areas; D015995:Prevalence; D012306:Risk; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D014099:Toothbrushing
chemical_list: D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D005459:Fluorides