Three-year report on caries prevention using fluoride varnishes for caries risk children in a community with fluoridated water

Abstract – The Benifit of seminnual application of the sodium fluoride varnish Duraphat^(R) and the silane fluoride varnish Fluor Protector^(R) was studied in 11–13-year-old children with high caries activity and lifelong exposure to fluoridated drinking water (1–1.2 parts/10⁶). Annual clinical and radiographic examinations were made of 62 children in the Duraphat group and 70 children in the Fluor Protector group. Fluoride varnish was applied semiannually using the half-moth technique. After 3 years, for the Duraphat group mean total DMES increments on the control side were 6.2 and on the test side 4.3 ( P <0.001); for the Fluor Protector group the DMES increments were 4.9 and 4.4, respectively (NS). The caries reductions were 30% and 11%. Since ther were no differences between initial mean DMES scores of the groups, it is possible that the lower increment in the Fluor Protector control side compatred to the Duraphat control side was due to fluoride ions from Fluor Protector crossing the midline and providing protection on the control side as well. Therefore, we conclude that Duraphat proved effective, but definite conslusion of the effect of Fluor Protector cannot be made. Children with the highest DMES increment on the control side (duraphat) gained most from the applications.