title: The history of public health use of fluorides in caries prevention.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of our study was to chronologically analyse various public health measures of fluoride use in caries prevention.
  
  
  METHODS
  We systematically searched the PubMed database on the preventive role of fluorides in public health, published from 1984 to 2014. The search process was divided into four steps, where inclusion and exclusion criteria were defined. Qualitative methodology was used for the article analysis. In the research process, the described forms of F use, diversity of the described F agents, and the observed population group were analysed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In our systematic review, 40 relevant reviews were revealed. Fluorides have been used in many different forms, but only a few studies showed their significant role in public health. Water fluoridation was the most important public health measure. In the recent decades, the number of studies on topical fluorides is constantly rising. The most extensively described topical forms of fluorides are professionally applied fluoride agents and fluoride toothpaste for home-use. The use of fluoride containing toothpaste in caries prevention is a safe and successful public health measure (PHM) if their use is widespread, and it is recommended for all. The results on other topical forms of fluorides are insufficient to be suggested as an important PHM.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The role of fluorides in public health prevention has changed in accordance with the knowledge about the fluoride cariostatic mechanism. Previously the most important pre-eruptive effect of fluorides was supplemented by the post eruptive effect. Abundant evidence exists to show the effectiveness of systemic and topical fluorides.
authors.affiliation: University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Public Health, Zaloška 4, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Tea
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Šket
authors.affiliation: University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Public Health, Zaloška 4, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Andreja
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kukec
authors.affiliation: University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Dental Clinic, Hrvatski trg 6, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Rok
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kosem
authors.affiliation: University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Public Health, Zaloška 4, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Artnik
keywords: caries prevention; epidemiology; fluorides; public health dentistry