title: The drop technique: a method to control the amount of fluoride dentifrice used by young children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the amount of dentifrice applied to the toothbrush by school children using a liquid dentifrice (drop technique), when compared to toothpaste.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 178 school children (4-8 years old) from two cities in Brazil (Bauru and Bariri) participated in the present two-part crossover study. Children from Bauru received training regarding tooth-brushing techniques and use of dentifrice before data collection. In each phase, the amount of toothpaste or liquid dentifrice applied by the children to the toothbrush was measured, using a portable analytical balance (+ 0.01 g). Data were tested by analysis of covariance (Ancova) and linear regression (p < 0.05).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean (+/- standard deviation) amounts of toothpaste and liquid dentifrice applied to the toothbrushes for children from Bauru were 0.41 +/- 0.20 g and 0.15 +/- 0.06 g, respectively. For children from Bariri, the amounts applied were and 0.48 +/- 0.24 g and 0.14 +/- 0.05 g, respectively. The amount of toothpaste applied was significantly larger than the amount of liquid dentifrice for both cities. Children from Bariri applied a significantly larger amount of toothpaste, when compared to those from Bauru. However, for the liquid dentifrice, there was no statistically significant difference between the cities. A significant correlation between the amount of toothpaste applied and the age of the children was verified, but the same was not found for the liquid dentifrice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of the drop technique reduced and standardised the amount of dentifrice applied to the toothbrush, which could reduce the risk of dental fluorosis for young children.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences and Department of Public Health, Bauru Dental School, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fabiano Vieira
authors.initials: FV
authors.lastname: Vilhena
authors.forename: Henrique Mendes
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Silvia Helena de Carvalho Sales
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Peres
authors.forename: Magali de Lourdes
authors.initials: Mde L
authors.lastname: Caldana
authors.forename: Marília Afonso Rabelo
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Buzalaf
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003802:Dentifrices / Q000737:chemistry*; D005459:Fluorides / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009050:Fluorosis, Dental / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D014099:Toothbrushing
chemical_list: D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D003802:Dentifrices; D005459:Fluorides