OBJECTIVE. Previous in vitro study has shown that TiF(4) varnish might reduce enamel erosion. No data regarding the effect of this experimental varnish on enamel erosion plus abrasion, however, are available so far. Thus, this in vitro study aimed to analyse the effect of TiF(4) compared with NaF varnishes and solutions, to protect against enamel erosion with or without abrasion. METHODS. Enamel specimens were pre-treated with experimental-TiF(4) (2.45% F), experimental-NaF (2.45% F), NaF-Duraphat (2.26% F), and placebo varnishes; NaF (2.26% F) and TiF(4) (2.45% F) solutions. Controls remained untreated. The erosive challenge was performed using a soft drink (pH 2.6) 4 × 90 s/day (ERO) and the toothbrushing abrasion (ERO+ABR) 2 × 10 s/day, for 5 days. Between the challenges, the specimens were exposed to artificial saliva. Enamel loss was measured profilometrically (μm). RESULTS. Kruskal-Wallis/Dunn tests showed that all fluoridated varnishes (TiF(4) -ERO:0.53 ± 0.20, ERO+ABR:0.65 ± 0.19/NaF-ERO:0.94 ± 0.18, ERO+ABR:1.74 ± 0.37/Duraphat-ERO:1.00 ± 0.37, ERO+ABR:1.72 ± 0.58) were able to significantly reduce enamel loss when compared with placebo varnish (ERO:3.45 ± 0.41/ERO+ABR:3.20 ± 0.66) (P < 0.0001). Placebo varnish, control (ERO:2.68 ± 0.53/ERO+ABR:3.01 ± 0.34), and fluoridated (NaF-ERO:2.84 ± 0.09/ERO+ABR:2.40 ± 0.21/TiF(4) -ERO:3.55 ± 0.59/ERO+ABR:4.10 ± 0.38) solutions did not significantly differ from each other. CONCLUSION. Based on the results, it can be concluded that the TiF(4) varnish seems to be a promising treatment to reduce enamel loss under mild erosive and abrasive conditions in vitro.

Duraphat varnish seems to be the best option to partially reduce dentin erosion. However, the maintenance of the effects of this treatment after successive erosive challenges is limited.

All fluoridated varnishes, but not the solutions, had a similar performance and a good potential to reduce dentin tissue loss under mild erosive and abrasive conditions in vitro. Risk patients for erosion and abrasion, especially those with exposed dentin, should benefit from this clinical preventive measure. Further research has to confirm this promising result in the clinical situation.

Two basic premises of Brazil's Community Health Agents Program (PACS) are to value the family and community to which the program belongs and to encourage their participation in health promotion and disease prevention. This study focused on the work developed by PACS in Bauru, São Paulo State, as perceived by the community health agents and the families served by them. As the study's point of departure, 22 community health agents and 22 representatives of families were interviewed, randomly selected according to residential micro-areas. Two focus groups were formed according to the PACS to which the community agents and families belonged. Qualitative analysis of the answers demonstrated agreement between the perceptions by community health agents and the community in the two focus groups. However, the two focus groups differed from each other. Distinct realities were observed in the two communities, thereby orienting new program actions and handling of local difficulties.