The Caries Preventive Effects of Fluoride Varnish in First Permanent Molars

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