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Fluoridated salt for caries prevention and control – a 2‐year field study in a disadvantaged community
Author(s) -
Wennhall Inger,
Hajem Samara,
Ilros Susanna,
Ridell Karin,
Ekstrand Kim R.,
Twetman Svante
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
international journal of paediatric dentistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.183
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 1365-263X
pISSN - 0960-7439
DOI - 10.1111/ipd.12045
Subject(s) - medicine , oral hygiene , disadvantaged , dentistry , intervention (counseling) , interdental consonant , environmental health , nursing , political science , law
Background Salt fluoridation is considered a cost‐effective community strategy for reducing caries. Aim To evaluate the effect of school‐based and domestic distribution of F ‐salt to schoolchildren residing in a disadvantaged community. Design Seven hundred and thirty‐three schoolchildren (12–14 years), attending two public schools, were enrolled; one was assigned to intervention ( IS ), whereas the other served as reference ( RS ). Subjects in IS were given access to F ‐salt (250 ppm F) in marked jars at school lunch and through free supply for domestic use. The 2‐year caries increment and progression rate, assessed from bitewing radiographs, was scored. Information on diet, oral hygiene, and fluoride exposure was collected through a baseline questionnaire. Results The dropout rate was high ( IS 27%; RS 18%). At baseline, the IS children displayed more unfavourable risk factors and a higher caries experience than RS children. There were no significant differences in total caries increment or proximal progression rate between the two schools. A negative correlation ( r = −0.29; P < 0.05) between the amount of delivered salt and the caries progression rate was, however, noted. No side effects were reported. Conclusions F ‐salt was not effective in this setting. Still, the findings indicate that salt may be a beneficial source of fluoride in schoolchildren provided that compliance can be secured.