title: Salt fluoridation--an alternative in automatic prevention of dental caries.
abstract: Despite great improvements in terms of reduced prevalence and amount of dental caries in populations worldwide, problems still persist particularly among the underprivileged groups of both developed and developing countries. Research and practical experience gained in several countries have demonstrated however, that dental caries can be prevented effectively through establishment of fluoride programmes. Water fluoridation, salt fluoridation, milk fluoridation and use of affordable fluoridated toothpastes play the major roles in public health. The present paper outlines the relevance and some practical aspects in relation to implementation of salt fluoridation programmes. The World Health Organisation Oral Health Programme provides technical assistance to countries in the process of planning, implementing and evaluating salt fluoridation projects.
authors.affiliation: Oral Health Programme, World Health Organisation, Department for Chronic Disease and Health Promotion, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: T M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Marthaler
authors.forename: P E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Petersen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005457:Fluoridation / Q000379:methods*; D005459:Fluorides / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000737:chemistry; D017673:Sodium Chloride, Dietary / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014944:World Health Organization
chemical_list: D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D017673:Sodium Chloride, Dietary; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D005459:Fluorides