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Economic evaluation of community programs for the prevention of dental caries in Catalonia, Spain
Author(s) -
Manau Carolina,
Cuenca Emili,
MartinezCarretero Josep,
Salleras Lluis
Publication year - 1987
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.1600-0528.1987.tb01738.x
Subject(s) - medicine , water fluoridation , dentistry , toothpaste , fluoride , tooth brushing , population , environmental health , toothbrush , inorganic chemistry , chemistry , brush , electrical engineering , engineering
The purpose of the present study was to estimate the cost‐effectiveness of three alternative community programs to prevent dental caries among Catalonia's schoolchildren. The programs were: fluoridation of the public water supply, fortnightly 0.2% NaF mouthrinses administered in schools, and supervised tooth brushing with a fluoride toothpaste in schools. Caries prevalence data for Catalan children are given and the methodology for the study is described. The estimated cost of saving 1 DMFS with each program was: 53.40 Pts (US$ 0.39) with fluoridation of the water supply; 305.20 Pts (US$ 2.26) with fluoride mouthrinses; and 1498 Pts (US$ 11–09) with supervised tooth brushing. The feasibility of the programs in Catalonia and their educational values for the target population are considered.