Topical fluoride gel application: When and to whom starts therapy?

Abstract

This study aims at investigating the scope of topical acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF) gel effect on initial carious lesions, evaluating the effect of the gel on newly erupted teeth, as well as on the low-, moderate, and high-risk School children.A sample of (340) school children [177 (52.06%) males and 163 (47.94%) females]initially in the fourth grade (aged 9-11 years) were collected from (4) Primary schools in Mosul city center, The children were allocated randomly to one experimental group (received topical APF gel) and one control group (did not receive any fluoride therapy).The dental examinations were done using DMFT index: one before fluoride application and the other after one year. It can be observed from this study that the topical APF gel is effective on initial lesions. Moreover, the efficacy of the gel on the newly erupted teeth, including chose teeth erupted during the study, is found to be greater than on the previously erupted ones. The results also reveal that the high - risk groups are the most benefitted from the fluoride treatment than the moderate- and low-risk groups. The percentages of caries reduction were (96.700%), (74.880%), and (36.071%) for the three groups, respectively.So, the use of such a fluoride therapy as a school-based programme is advised for all children with evidence of dental caries, and is recommended to be planned to match the pattern of eruption of teeth.