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The use of professional dental applications
of fluoride may not be providing any benefit to children, even though
they are widely used and generally accepted to reduce the rate of
tooth decay.
This study evaluated the association between
this practice and the number of cavities. The data from over 15,000
children and for treatment provided by over 1,500
different dentists, were analyzed.
The researchers followed-up with the children
for a period averaging over 5 years. No difference in tooth decay
rates were seen for "baby" or permanent teeth.
The authors note that there are already numerous
recommendations that professionally applied topical fluorides should
be used only in children with moderate to high rates of decay.
However, they question whether these guidelines
are being followed, considering the fact that approximately two-thirds
of the children in the study received topical fluoride at every
recall visit, nearly two times per year.
J
Public Health Dent 2000; 60: 33-8
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