The Journal of clinical dentistry
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Caries prevention in Chinese children with sodium fluoride dentifrice delivered through a kindergarten-based oral health program in China.
Caries in China appears to be a significant problem, especially among preschool children. The effect of caries prevention in the primary teeth of preschool children through the use of fluoridated dentifrices and prevention programs has not been widely addressed. The purpose of this study was to examine the caries preventive effects of an 1100 ppm sodium fluoride dentifrice used in the context of a kindergarten-based oral health program compared to a matched placebo dentifrice in the absence of a kindergarten-based oral health program. ⋯ In Miyun county, the sodium fluoride/school program group had a 39.9% reduction in caries compared to the placebo/no program group that was statistically significant (p = 0.001). In Huairou county, the sodium fluoride/school program group had a 6.8% reduction in caries compared to the placebo/no program group that was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). These results demonstrate that fluoride in conjunction with increased dental awareness can deliver important reductions in caries in preschool children.