The Caries Preventive Effects of Fluoride Varnish in First Permanent Molars
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Abstract
The Caries Preventive Effects of Fluoride Varnish in First Permanent Molars
Chuenta Wichawut DDS, MPH
Dental health Division, Health Department, BMA
Objective: To study the caries preventive effects of fluoride in first permanent molars.
Study design: Half mouth technique experimental study.
Setting: Bangkok Metropolitan Administration primary schools (BenJamaborpitre school and Wat-Samananum-boriharn school) Dusit district.
Subjects: Students of age 6-7 years old who had newly erupted first permanent molars which were free from caries.
Methods: One hundred and twenty eight students were included into the study. The newly erupted first permanent molars as the study group were applied with fluoride varnish (Duraphat) twice at 6 months apart. The contralateral molars as the control group were observed. Both groups were followed up for 1 year.
Main outcome measures: The rate of tooth decay and mean decayed, missing and filled surfaces of first permanent molars (DMFS) in the study group compared to the control.
Results: At 1 year,14.8% of the teeth in the study group were decayed compared with 26.5 % in the control group. DMFS in the study group were 0.15 surfaces per person compared with 0.31 surfaces per person in the control group, the difference was statistically significant (p=0.001).
Conclusion: Fluoride varnish could be the alternative method for caries prevention because it was effective, safe and easy to apply in the teeth of schools or community children.
Key words: fluoride varnish, dental prevention
Vajira Med J 2004 ; 48 : 145 - 150