IADR Abstract Archives
Topical Fluoride Effectiveness in High Caries Risk Adults
Objectives: To determine whether various types of fluorides (office applied 5% NaF varnish, office applied gel/rinse [2% NaF gel/rinse or 1.23% APF gel], prescription 1.1% NaF paste or gel) versus no fluoride is more effective at preventing new caries-related restorations/extractions in patients at high risk for dental caries.
Methods: This retrospective analysis of longitudinal data from 10/01/2008-06/30/2018 used data from the Department of Veterans Affairs electronic dental, medical, and pharmacy records. To be included, Veterans had 3+ years of data available; met the criteria of high caries risk (received 2+ caries-related restorations within a 365-day period, [index year]); received no caries-related dental treatment or fluoride intervention in the year prior to the index year; and had a 1-year follow-up after the index year. The outcome measured was teeth with caries-related restorative treatment/extractions. Covariates included age, gender, race/ethnicity, medical comorbidities, prescription medications, dental prophylaxis appointments, number of restorations and days between first and last restoration during the index year. Logistic regression modelled the outcome with the intervention and all covariates.
Results: The study sample included 68,757 Veterans; mean age=59.2±13.5 years; 91.5%=male; 73.6%=White/Caucasian, 22.7%=Black/African American and 5.8%=Hispanic. Participants had a mean of 3.9±2.6 caries-related restorations during the index year (enrollment into study) and 0.87±1.82 caries-related restorations/extractions during the outcome year. Veterans receiving a fluoride varnish treatment (OR=0.71, 95%CI=0.67,0.75) or a fluoride gel/rinse (OR=0.72, 95%CI=0.67,0.76) versus no fluoride were less likely to receive caries-related treatment during the follow up period, and dose-response was observed (gel/rinse: 1vs0 OR=0.87, 95%CI=0.83,0.91and 2+vs0 OR=0.71, 95%CI=0.67,0.75; varnish: 1vs0 OR=0.84, 95%CI=0.81,0.88 and 2+vs0 OR=0.73, 95%CI=0.69,0.77). Receipt of prescription 1.1% NaF paste/gel versus no fluoride was not statistically significant (OR=1.03, 95%CI=0.96,1.10).
Conclusions: Receipt of a fluoride varnish or gel/rinse decreased the odds of future caries-related treatment. A dose-response relationship was observed, with 2+ treatments being more effective than one treatment.
Methods: This retrospective analysis of longitudinal data from 10/01/2008-06/30/2018 used data from the Department of Veterans Affairs electronic dental, medical, and pharmacy records. To be included, Veterans had 3+ years of data available; met the criteria of high caries risk (received 2+ caries-related restorations within a 365-day period, [index year]); received no caries-related dental treatment or fluoride intervention in the year prior to the index year; and had a 1-year follow-up after the index year. The outcome measured was teeth with caries-related restorative treatment/extractions. Covariates included age, gender, race/ethnicity, medical comorbidities, prescription medications, dental prophylaxis appointments, number of restorations and days between first and last restoration during the index year. Logistic regression modelled the outcome with the intervention and all covariates.
Results: The study sample included 68,757 Veterans; mean age=59.2±13.5 years; 91.5%=male; 73.6%=White/Caucasian, 22.7%=Black/African American and 5.8%=Hispanic. Participants had a mean of 3.9±2.6 caries-related restorations during the index year (enrollment into study) and 0.87±1.82 caries-related restorations/extractions during the outcome year. Veterans receiving a fluoride varnish treatment (OR=0.71, 95%CI=0.67,0.75) or a fluoride gel/rinse (OR=0.72, 95%CI=0.67,0.76) versus no fluoride were less likely to receive caries-related treatment during the follow up period, and dose-response was observed (gel/rinse: 1vs0 OR=0.87, 95%CI=0.83,0.91and 2+vs0 OR=0.71, 95%CI=0.67,0.75; varnish: 1vs0 OR=0.84, 95%CI=0.81,0.88 and 2+vs0 OR=0.73, 95%CI=0.69,0.77). Receipt of prescription 1.1% NaF paste/gel versus no fluoride was not statistically significant (OR=1.03, 95%CI=0.96,1.10).
Conclusions: Receipt of a fluoride varnish or gel/rinse decreased the odds of future caries-related treatment. A dose-response relationship was observed, with 2+ treatments being more effective than one treatment.