THE 48-MONTH INCREMENT OF ROOT CARIES IN AN URBAN-POPULATION OF OLDERADULTS PARTICIPATING IN A PREVENTIVE DENTAL PROGRAM

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a 48-month pr eventive dental program on the incidence of root caries in an urban, g eriatric, noninstitutionalized population residing in an optimally flu oridated area. The 466 participants were randomly assigned to one of t hree groups at baseline. Group A (control): 171 subjects using a place bo mouthrinse daily; group B: 147 subjects receiving semiannual applic ations of a topical APF gel (1.2% F) with the daily use of a placebo m outhrinse; group C: 148 subjects using a fluoridated mouthrinse daily, ACT (0.05% F). At baseline, the numbers of surfaces at risk, and deca yed and filled surfaces were recorded. After 48 months, in addition, t he number of reversed and new lesions were determined, and the increme ntal DMFS calculated. The data were analyzed by ANCOVA. The incrementa l DMFS were: A=0.91, B=0.27, C=0.26. The incremental DMFS in groups B and C were significantly lower than in group A (P<.05). The number of reversed lesions in group C (1.53 +/- 2.03) was significantly greater than in group A (1.11 +/- 1.74) and group B (1.01 +/- 1.86) (P<.05). T he number of new lesions in group B (1.36 +/- 2.00) was significantly less than in group A (1.99 +/- 2.65) (P<.05). The daily use of the flu oride mouthrinse significantly increased the number of reversed lesion s.