The effect of a preventive program, including the application of low-concentration fluoride varnish, on caries control in high-risk children

The aim of this 2-year prospective randomized clinical study was to evaluate the efficacy of a prevention program for schoolchildren with high caries risk. A sample of 419 subjects was divided into a test (T, n=259) and control group (C, n=160). Four times a year, the test group received professional tooth-cleaning and application of a 0.1% fluoride varnish as well as motivation and instruction in oral hygiene. The control group received only oral hygiene instruction and took part in supervised tooth-brushing once a year. At baseline and after 2 years, the D₃,₄MFS and the incipient lesions (D_1,2) were recorded. After 2 years, 318 subjects (T=187, C=131) were included in the data analysis. The baseline D_1,2 was 6.18 (T) and 5.50 (C), the D₃,₄MFS 2.13 (T) and 2.08 (C), respectively. No statistically significant difference was found for the baseline values. At the final examination, the D_1,2 increment was 3.96 in the test and 6.53 in the control group, showing a statistically significant difference (P<0.001). No such difference was found for the D₃,₄MFS increment (T: 2.22; C: 2.61). The results indicate that it might not be possible to prevent cavities in high caries risk children by means of the described program. Received: 24 August 2000 / Accepted: 18 September 2000