Fluoridated salt for caries prevention and control - a 2-year field study in a disadvantaged community

TY - JOUR

T1 - Fluoridated salt for caries prevention and control - a 2-year field study in a disadvantaged community

AU - Wennhall, Inger

AU - Hajem, Samara

AU - Ilros, Susanna

AU - Ridell, Karin

AU - Ekstrand, Kim R

AU - Twetman, Svante

N1 - © 2013 BSPD, IAPD and John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

PY - 2014/5

Y1 - 2014/5

N2 - 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.

AB - 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.

U2 - 10.1111/ipd.12045

DO - 10.1111/ipd.12045

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 23786420

SN - 0960-7439

VL - 24

SP - 161

EP - 167

JO - International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry

JF - International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry

IS - 3

ER -