Methods: Fifteen children aged 4 year in one nursery school participated in a school-based fluoride mouth rinse program (FMR) using 0.1% sodium fluoride solution weekly since 4 years old. 29 children at the same age in another nursery school without FMR had been under a school-based program with topical application of acidulated 2% sodium fluoride gel (TAF) three times a year since entering school. One year follow-up data between 4 years old in 2011 and 5 years old in 2012 were recorded to obtain the main outcome that was caries increment (Δdmft) for one year measurement by the change in decayed, missing and filled teeth (dmft). Statistical evaluation of outcome was conducted using Welch's t-test. Caries incremental rate (Δdmft rate) was also calculated by dividing Δdmft by dmft at 4 years old.
Results: The mean dmft scores for children with FMR group were 3.07 (SD 3.73) in 4 years old and 3.60 (SD 3.74) in 5 years old, whereas TAF group were 1.97 (SD 3.67) and 3.48 (SD 4.78), respectively. Caries increment (Δdmft) was 0.53 in FMR group and 1.51 in TAF group, indicating that caries incidence through the year was significantly greater (p<0.05) in TAF group than FMR group. Δdmft rate in FMR group was 17.26% and in TAF group was 76.65%, respectively.
Conclusion: One year follow-up data between 4 and 5 years old children indicated that the treatment with a school-based FMR produced significantly lower caries increments in nursery school.