An Evaluation of Single and Combined Self‐Applied Fluoride Programs in Schools*

Abstract

1. The combined use of a twice-yearly, self-applied 2.2 percent phosphate fluoride prophylactic paste and a weekly 0.2 percent sodium fluoride mouthrinse resulted in a significantly lower caries prevalence at the same school after two years. 2. The use of a weekly 0.2 percent sodium fluoride mouthrinse alone resulted in a significantly lower caries prevalence among 11 year olds at the same school after two years. 3. The use of a twice-yearly 2.2 percent phosphate fluoride self-applied prophylactic paste did not result in a significant difference in caries prevalence at the same school after two years. 4. The combination of methods appeared to be more effective than either method used alone and the programs were more effective among nonwhites in this population with this type of analysis. 5. A study design which uses cross-sectional data to estimate incidence and to make prevalence comparisons at two different points in time can be useful when an evaluation of the effect of previously tested products is desired in school-based programs.

Fluoride exposure combinations and caries in permanent dentition among Finnish children

“…Similarly, in contrast to clinical trials showing advantage of applying simultaneously several local fluoride preventives (2,11,(13)(14)(15), in the present study no major diflerences were observed between single and combined application of difierent topical fluoride preventive measures as they are applied in everyday practice.…”

A case study in contesting the conventional wisdom: school‐based fluoride mouthrinse programs in the USA

“…They also carried implied expectations of success, Duritig the 1970s, the NIDR conducted a number of FMR studies directly (8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14). In addition, NIDR funded sever- al more contracts whetein NIDR also conducted the data analyses (15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22), These studies reported that FMR was a safe, effective, and inexpensive procedure for preventing dental caries. The centerpiece of these studies was the large, 17…”

Effect of Secular Decline in Caries on the Evaluation of Preventive Dentistry Demonstrations*

“…During the past decade there was a noticeable shift from the true randomized clinical trial employing concurrent controls to less rigorous study designs based on historical comparisons. This trend is particularlv evident in reports of fluoride mouthrinse studies in both fluoridated and nonfluoridated areas (32)(33)(34)(35)(36)(37)(38)(39).…”