School-based Fluoride Mouthrinse Program Research Articles

Posttreatment benefits from participation in a school-based fluoride mouthrinsing program: II. Results after three to five years of rinsing.

The effect on caries prevalence of previous participation in a school-based 0.2 percent neutral NaF mouthrinsing program was assessed in junior-high-school students. The subjects had rinsed for three-to-five years as elementary-school students in the Three Village fluoride mouthrinsing program, Long Island, New York (F less than or equal to 0.1 ppm). The effects of rinsing were determined by comparing the caries prevalence of seventh, eighth, and ninth grade students who had previously participated in the rinsing program to the baseline caries scores of seventh through ninth grade students who were examined before the rinsing program began. The caries prevalence of the children who had participated in the rinsing program was 29.3 percent (DMFT) and 32.7 percent (DMFS) less than that of the children who had never rinsed. Preferential protection was afforded to the proximal surfaces which had a caries reduction of 56.1 percent compared to 28 percent for both the occlusal and buccolingual surfaces. The duration of the children's participation in the mouthrinsing program generally was related to the level of posttreatment benefits, although age upon entry into the program may also exert an influence. It is fortuitous that there is a persistence of mouthrinsing benefits since older children have generally been reluctant to give their full cooperation in a school-based fluoride mouthrinsing program.

Posttreatment benefits from participation in a school-based fluoride mouthrinsing program.

Posttreatment benefits from participation in a school-based fluoride mouthrinsing program.

Attitudes of health professionals involved in a school-based fluoride mouthrinse program.

A study was carried out to assess the attitudes of public health officials and dentists toward a school-based fluoride mouthrinse program administered in grades one through six in Kentucky. The responses were obtained by administering a questionnaire to health officials and dentists. The responses of the health directors indicate support for the program as a means of improving the overall dental care of children. These individuals do not feel a need for direct involvement in the daily operation of the program. They believe that adequately trained school personnel can implement the program. Dentists also view the fluoride mouthrinse program as an effective means of improving children's dental health. However, they feel that it should be part of a broad scope program which includes public health measures. Dentists are reluctant to support a program which they view as increasing the role of government in providing health care.

Two years' effect on the primary dentition of mouthrinsing with a 0.2% neutral NaF solution

The benefits to the primary teeth from a school-based fluoride mouthrinsing program are presented. Children in grades 1--4, residents of a fluoride-deficient community in New York, rinsed an average of 49 times during 2 school years using a 0.2% neutral NaF solution. Rinsing was done under the supervision of homeroom teachers. Differences in caries prevalence of 20.0% (dfs/child) or 23.8% (dfs/100s) were found in children who participated in the rinsing program for 2 years compared with baseline caries scores of children who never rinsed. Surface specific differences in caries prevalence after 2 years were: 27.5% for proximal surfaces, 24.1% for buccolingual surfaces, and 12.4% for occlusal surfaces.