4-YEAR STUDY OF CARIES INHIBITION OF INTENSIVE DURAPHAT APPLICATION IN 11-15-YEAR-OLD CHILDREN

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the caries preventive effect and cost of an intensive application of Duraphat varnish, added to the regular preventive program for 11-15-yr-old children in a Swedish Den tal Community Clinic. In 1987, the 134 11-yr-old children in Floda wer e divided into two groups, every second child to each. Children with f ixed orthodontic appliances were excluded. The test group received thr ee applications of Duraphat varnish during 1 week, once a year, by a d ental nurse. The control group received one application at the annual check-up. Both groups were included in the regular preventive program at the clinic. The total time cost for the clinic was estimated and us ed to calculate the cost per hour for dentists and nurses. The caries increment and progression were estimated both by routine diagnosis and by a careful study of radiographs taken at the beginning and end of t he study period. There was a smaller caries increment and progression in the test group as compared to the control group. The difference was statistically significant for all aspects studied. The costs were abo ut the same in both groups but more time was used in the test group. T he administrative effort for the staff was considerable for the intens ive Duraphat application.