Self-application of fluoride as a community preventive measure: rationale, procedures, and three-year results

A survey of toothbrushing sequence in children and young adults

“…At the chairside it is probably of greater value to instruct the 'disclosed' patient to 'get the stain off than to insist on their cleaning their teeth in a particular sequence. However, for pamphlets, posters and particularly classroom instruction, emphasis on sequence is undoubtedly important (Koch & Lindhe 1965, Koch 1967, Marthaler 1972, Plasschaert & Konig 1974, Gish et al 1975. Our findings suggest that the hand used to hold the brush may affect toothbrushing patterns so that due allowance should be made for left-handed individuals.…”

Evaluation of a Combination of Self-Administered Fluoride Procedures for Control of Dental Caries in a Non-Fluoride Area: Findings after 2 Years

“…For example, Radike et al [1973] found that the daily use in school of a stan nous fluoride mouthrinse (0.025% F) for 2 years further reduced decay among children born and reared in a community with water fluoridation by approximately 38%. Gish et al [1975] reported a 13.7% reduction in dental caries scores after 2 years from semi annual self-application of a 9% stannous fluoride prophylaxis paste in an optimally fluoridated community. Moreover, a few studies in fluoridated areas have shown marginal caries protection following ad libi tum home use of a fluoride-containing den tifrice [Gish and Muhler, 1966;Mergele, 1968], Compared with the reported effective ness of self-administered procedures when used individually and when combined with the practice of water fluoridation, the 15.1% lower prevalence of dental caries found in the present study for 6-to 13-year-olds may at first seem disappointing.…”