A two-year randomized clinical trial of chlorhexidine varnish on dental caries in Chinese preschool children.
The objective of this study was to assess the effect of six-monthly professional applications of chlorhexidine varnish on the prevention of dental caries in primary molars in Chinese preschool children. In a double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 334 children aged 4-5 years were randomly divided into two groups. Children in the test group received six-monthly applications of a 40% chlorhexidine varnish, and the control children received a placebo varnish. Caries status of the children was assessed by two calibrated examiners at baseline and after 24 months, according to criteria recommended by the World Health Organization. The two-year mean caries increments in the test and the control group children were 1.0 and 1.6 decayed, missing, or filled molar surfaces (dmfs-molar), respectively, a 37.3% reduction (t test, p = 0.036). No side-effects were found. It was concluded that six-monthly applications of chlorhexidine varnish were effective in reducing the incidence of dental caries in primary molars.
Du
M Q
MQ
Department of Preventive Dentistry, School of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Hubei, China.
Tai
B J
BJ
Jiang
H
H
Lo
E C M
EC
Fan
M W
MW
Bian
Z
Z
D000287:Administration, Topical; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002681:China; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008963:Molar / Q000187:drug effects; D010919:Placebos
D010919:Placebos; D002710:Chlorhexidine