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Acceptance, caries reduction and reported adverse effects of fluoride prophylaxis in Norway
Author(s) -
Lökken P.,
Birkeland J. M.
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
community dentistry and oral epidemiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.061
H-Index - 101
eISSN - 1600-0528
pISSN - 0301-5661
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0528.1978.tb01132.x
Subject(s) - medicine , fluoride , dentifrice , water fluoridation , adverse effect , norwegian , dentistry , population , reduction (mathematics) , environmental health , inorganic chemistry , linguistics , chemistry , philosophy , geometry , mathematics
Water fluoridation has not been introduced in Norway, although 99% of the population receive water with suboptimal fluoride levels. Alternative methods of fluoride prophylaxis have gained wide acceptance in this country. While less than 1% of the children received fluoride tablets in 1971, sales data in 1976 indicated a daily supply of fluoride tablets to 50% of the 0–5‐year‐olds and to 20% of the 6–11‐year‐olds. Most, schoolchildren have joined mass prophylactic programs with regular applications of fluoride solutions. Furthermore, fluoride‐containing dentifrices have become available and are increasingly used. The increased use of fluoride has been paralleled by a marked reduction in caries and restorative need. During the past 5 years, a reduction of about 45% in the number of fillings inserted in 6–17‐year‐old children has been noted. In some areas, a 70% reduction has been recorded. The ratio between expenses for prophylaxis and savings in cost of treatment is favorable. The Norwegian Adverse Drug Reaction Committee received 34 case reports of adverse effects ascribed to fluoride prophylaxis, from 1970 to 1977. None of the 25 follow‐up studies performed, suggested fluoride to have been responsible for the reported symptoms. In Norway, the benefits of fluoride prophylaxis are becoming increasingly evident.