Caries Prevalence in a Rural Chilean Community after Cessation of a Powdered Milk Fluoridation Program

Abstract

Termination of the powdered milk fluoridation scheme resulted in a deterioration of the dental health of children. After three years, dental caries prevalence was higher than that reached at the end of the scheme and equivalent to that of the control community without fluoride exposure. These results emphasize the need to establish and maintain an alternative mechanism of community-based fluoridation of proven effectiveness for the prevention of dental caries in communities where water fluoridation is not available.

Effects of fluoridated milk on artificial enamel carious lesions: A pH cycling study

“…13 Whilst a recent systematic review suggested better quality research is needed regarding the effectiveness of milk fluoridation, 9 a number of trials across the world have shown it to be effective in reducing the prevalence of dental caries in children. For example trials in Chile, [14][15][16] Bulgaria, 17,18 China, 19 Sweden 20 and England 21 have shown that children who participated in the fluoridated milk programme experienced significantly less dental caries compared to children not on the programme. Adding fluoride to the milk-products as part of a National Food Supplement Programme has been found to be cost-effective in rural areas of Chile.…”

“…Specimens were randomly assigned to 15 groups according to different concentrations and volume; i.e. 2.5 ppm, 5 ppm, 7.5 ppm, 10 ppm, 15 ppm, 20 ppm, and 250 ppm of fluoride with 25 ml/section and 50 ml/section. De-ionized water and plain milk were used as controls.…”

Effect of Fluoridated Milk on Enamel and Root Dentin Demineralization Evaluated by a Biofilm Caries Model

“…Currently, milk fluoridation programs are successfully implemented in more than ten countries [Mariño et al, 2004]. However, evidence on the efficacy of F-milk as an anticaries measure has been considered weak [Espelid, 2009;Marinho, 2009].…”

Milk fluoridation for the prevention

“…Two studies showed no effect in either dentition. An evaluation after cessation of a pilot milk fluoridation programme in Chile, caries incidence increased (10). Four RCTs showed caries reductions, and evaluations of the several community programmes pointed to the feasibility of the method under real life conditions.…”