Fluoridated salt for caries prevention and control – a 2‐year field study in a disadvantaged community. Issue 3 (20th June 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wennhall, Inger; Hajem, Samara; Ilros, Susanna; Ridell, Karin; Ekstrand, Kim R.; Twetman, Svante
• Is Part Of: International journal of paediatric dentistry. Volume 24:Issue 3(2014:May)
• Page Start: 161
• Page End: 167
• Publication Date: 2013-06-20
• Subjects: Pedodontics -- Periodicals; 617.645
• DOI: 10.1111/ipd.12045
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-7439

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="ipd12045-abs-0001"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="ipd12045-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>Salt fluoridation is considered a cost‐effective community strategy for reducing caries.</p> </sec> <sec id="ipd12045-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Aim</title> <p>To evaluate the effect of school‐based and domestic distribution of F‐salt to schoolchildren residing in a disadvantaged community.</p> </sec> <sec id="ipd12045-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Design</title> <p>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.</p> </sec> <sec id="ipd12045-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>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 (<italic>r</italic> = −0.29; <italic>P</italic> < 0.05) between the amount of delivered salt and the caries progression rate was, however, noted. No side effects were reported.</p> </sec> <sec id="ipd12045-sec-0005" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>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.</p> </sec> </abstract>