Resident: Adam J. Bottrill
Date: 13AUG10
Region: Providence
Article title: The Efficiency of Semiannual Silane Fluoride Varnish Applications: A Two-year Clinical Study in Preschool Children
Author(s): Petersson, Lars et al
Journal: Journal of Public Health Dentistry
Page #s: 57-60
Year: Winter 1998
Major topic: Fluoride Varnish Application
Minor topic(s): NA
Type of Article: Community Demonstration Trial
Main Purpose: To study the caries inhibitory effects of semiannual applications of fluoride varnish in preschool children.

Key points in the article discussion:

I General:

A. In Sweden all children under 20yo are guaranteed free dental care. Yet... by age 6yo >50% have clinical caries.
B. Fluoride varnish has been accepted as effective for permanent dentition, but the effects have not been described as in depth for primary dentition.

I. Methods:

A. 24 Public health clinics in Sweden
1. Pts: 5137 pre-school children between 4 and 5 yo.
2. Children split into two groups
a. fluoride varnish group treated every 6mo with topical silane fluoride varnish.
b. reference group treated with no fluoride varnish.
3. Both groups received regular preventive visits and were followed for 2 years.
a. annual, dietary counseling, OHI
b. exams performed with mirror and explorer
4. Data collected WRT caries level

II. Results:

A. Caries prevalence not different at baseline.
B. No statistical significance in the difference of overall carious lesions after 2 yrs, although the fluoride group's number was lower.
C. Difference in the levels of interproximal carious lesions WAS statistically significant. (more in the NON-fluoride group)
D. Children with DFS score of >1 showed statistically significant reduction of interproximal caries when compared to reference group.

III. Conclusions!

A. Preschool children 4-5 yo with clinical caries who receive semiannual topical application of fluoride varnish (.1% F) experience a reduced incidence of approximal caries over two years.

Assessment of article: I guess this was something I was HOPING someone proved at some point but had never actually seen an article explaining the benefit. We were all taught the scientific explanation for topical F but it's good to see some actual clinical application.

This is EITHER:
1. The article to end all articles...
OR
2. An irrefutable breakthrough that will shock the world...
OR
3. An article describing stuff we sort of already knew...

....YOU DECIDE