title: Fluoridated salt for caries prevention and control - a 2-year field study in a disadvantaged community.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Salt fluoridation is considered a cost-effective community strategy for reducing caries.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of school-based and domestic distribution of F-salt to schoolchildren residing in a disadvantaged community.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven hundred and thirty-three schoolchildren (12-14 years), attending two public schools, were enrolled; one was assigned to intervention (IS), whereas the other served as reference (RS). Subjects in IS were given access to F-salt (250 ppm F) in marked jars at school lunch and through free supply for domestic use. The 2-year caries increment and progression rate, assessed from bitewing radiographs, was scored. Information on diet, oral hygiene, and fluoride exposure was collected through a baseline questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The dropout rate was high (IS 27%; RS 18%). At baseline, the IS children displayed more unfavourable risk factors and a higher caries experience than RS children. There were no significant differences in total caries increment or proximal progression rate between the two schools. A negative correlation (r = -0.29; P < 0.05) between the amount of delivered salt and the caries progression rate was, however, noted. No side effects were reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  F-salt was not effective in this setting. Still, the findings indicate that salt may be a beneficial source of fluoride in schoolchildren provided that compliance can be secured.
authors.affiliation: Public Dental Service, Region Skåne, Malmö, Sweden.
authors.forename: Inger
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Wennhall
authors.forename: Samara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hajem
authors.forename: Susanna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ilros
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ridell
authors.forename: Kim R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Ekstrand
authors.forename: Svante
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Twetman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D005459:Fluorides / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012537:Scandinavian and Nordic Countries
chemical_list: D005459:Fluorides