Does Applying Fluoride Varnish Every Three Months Better Prevent Caries Lesions in Erupting First Permanent Molars? A Randomised Clinical Trial.

Abstract

To determine the effectiveness of fluoride varnish (FV) in preventing caries lesions on the erupting first permanent molars (FPM) of high-risk children. A randomised parallel-blinded clinical trial was conducted with a sample of 180 children between 6 and 7 years of age with at least one sound erupting FPM attending a public school in the Dominican Republic. Children were randomly assigned to three groups, one control and two experimental groups, which received FV application every 3 or 6 months. All the children received fluoride toothpaste (1450 ppm), toothbrush, diet counseling, and oral health recommendations every three months. The development of caries lesions was assessed at twelve months using ICDAS. A total of 157 children completed the study, of which 51.0% were female. At the end of the study, 53 participants comprised the control group, 54 were included in the every-3-months (3-month) FV group, and 50 belonged to the every-6-months (6-month) FV group. Adjusted ORs were calculated to compare lesion development between the groups. The results showed that the control group was more likely to develop caries lesions in comparison to the 3-month FV group, with an associated AOR of 1.46 (95% CI: 1.18 to 1.81, p = 0.001). Likewise, applying FV every six months as opposed to every three increased the odds of developing caries with a significant AOR of 1.29 (95% CI: 1.03 to 1.64, p = 0.029). FV application every three months can be recommended to prevent caries lesions on the erupting first permanent molars of high-risk populations.