Fluoride varnish and dental caries in preschoolers:  a systematic review and meta-analysis

Timms, Laura; Deery, Chris

doi:10.1038/s41432-020-0074-x

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 2 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…There are few systematic reviews or reviews that assessed the effectiveness of fluoride vanish or oral health promotion interventions in preventing dental caries [12][13][14]. However, there is no previous systematic review of intervention studies aiming at reducing inequality in caries among children.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Systematic Review of Intervention Studies Aiming at Reducing Inequality in Dental Caries among Children

Shen

Bernabé

Sabbah

2021

IJERPH

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

(1) Background: The objective is to systematically review the evidence on intervention programs aiming at reducing inequality in dental caries among children. (2) Methods: Two independent investigators searched MEDLINE, Cochrane library, and Ovid up to December 2020 to identify intervention studies assessing the impact on socioeconomic inequalities in dental caries among children. The interventions included any health promotion/preventive intervention aiming at reducing caries among children across different socioeconomic groups. Comparison groups included children with alternative or no intervention. Cochrane criteria were used to assess interventional studies for risk of bias. (3) Results: After removal of duplicate studies, 1235 articles were retained. Out of 43 relevant papers, 13 articles were identified and used in qualitative synthesis, and reported quantifiable outcomes. The included studies varied in measurements of interventions, sample size, age groups, and follow-up time. Five studies assessed oral health promotion or health-education, four assessed topical fluorides, and four assessed water fluoridation. Interventions targeting the whole population showed a consistent reduction of socioeconomic inequalities in dental caries among children. (4) Conclusion: The quality of included papers was moderate. High heterogeneity did not allow aggregation of the findings. The overall findings suggest that whole population interventions such as water fluoridation are more likely to reduce inequalities in children’s caries than target population and individual interventions.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Systematic Review of Intervention Studies Aiming at Reducing Inequality in Dental Caries among Children

Shen

Bernabé

Sabbah

2021

IJERPH

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…However, some new emerging evidence needs to be considered. A recent systematic review [12] concluded that “there is modest and uncertain evidence for fluoride varnish reducing the risk of developing dentine caries in pre-school children”. Similarly, a recent double-blind, two-arm randomised controlled trial embedded within the Childsmile programme (Protecting Teeth at Three; PT@3) found a modest non-significant reduction in the worsening of d3mft in the nursery Fluoride varnish group compared to Treatment as Usual (universal supervised toothbrushing) in the nursery setting for children at high risk, concluding that it was neither effective or cost-effective [13, 14].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

International consensus on fluoride programmes for Early Childhood Caries prevention in early education settings

Abuhaloob,

Conay,

Blokland

et al. 2024

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background The World Health Organisation has set out a clear priority for the implementation of interventions to reduce the burden of Early Childhood Caries (ECC), a global public health problem affecting over 500 million children around the world and having a substantial impact on child well-being and health system expenditure. The aim of this study was to assess and develop international expert consensus on the evidence for fluoride-based interventions in early-year education settings (kindergartens/nursery and primary schools) for reducing ECC and to synthesise clear programme-level recommendations with regard to ECC prevention in this setting. Methods A systematic overview of systematic reviews, trials, and observational studies was performed to identify and critically appraise the available evidence on the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of fluoride-based interventions in early-years education settings to prevent ECC. This was followed by a three-stage modified Delphi panel study (n= 21) consisting of: round 1, an online survey to gather opinions on safety, effectiveness and feasibility of interventions; round 2, an iterative survey to consider collated group opinion and gather feedback on review findings; and finally, an online workshop with presentations and facilitated in-depth, recorded group discussions. Results There was high-quality evidence and consensus on delivering supervised toothbrushing in kindergartens (nurseries) and primary/elementary schools; this is safe and cost-effective, shows greater benefit to more disadvantaged children, helps child social development, and is feasible in high and low/middle-income countries. There was more moderate support for the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of fluoride varnish application in this setting (especially where supervised toothbrushing with fluoride is in place). It was agreed that policy makers should prioritise at-risk groups where resources are limited, and that systemic fluoride interventions (Fluoride tablets, drops, milk, and salt) in this setting are no longer a priority. Conclusion Supervised toothbrushing with fluoridated toothpaste is the most effective, cost-effective, feasible and safest mechanism for children in early education settings. Universal coverage is preferred but where resources are limited targeting based on need is indicated. Panel consensus is that it remains appropriate in water fluoridated areas and is largely feasible in low/middle-income countries.

show abstract

The additional benefit of professional fluoride application for children as an adjunct to regular fluoride toothpaste: a systematic review and meta-analysis

et al. 2021

Clin Oral Invest

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Fluoride varnish and dental caries in preschoolers: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Cited by 3 publications

References 2 publications

Systematic Review of Intervention Studies Aiming at Reducing Inequality in Dental Caries among Children

Systematic Review of Intervention Studies Aiming at Reducing Inequality in Dental Caries among Children

International consensus on fluoride programmes for Early Childhood Caries prevention in early education settings

The additional benefit of professional fluoride application for children as an adjunct to regular fluoride toothpaste: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About