USE OF FLUORIDE TABLETS IN CHILDHOOD - A 10-YEAR PROSPECTIVE-STUDY

Regular and persistent use of fluoride tablets throughout childhood is part of the national population-based preventive strategy and of the individual risk strategy of the Public Dental Health Service in Norway . The purpose of this study was to describe intraindividual stability in use of fluoride tablets in childhood and to analyze change in stabi lity with respect to previous caries risk. Data stemmed from a 10-year prospective study of 231 Norwegian children. Intraindividual stabilit y was described as individual profiles, showing that individual use of fluoride tablets varied substantially over the 10-year period. The si gnificance of previous caries risk for change in use of fluoride table ts was analyzed by logistic regression analysis. The probability of in crease in use of fluoride tablets increased significantly with previou s caries activity. The results are discussed in light of population st rategy and individual risk strategy in the Public Dental Health Servic e in Norway. Intraindividual variation in use of fluoride tablets over time may reflect the limited individual impact of preventive measures in pursuance of the population strategy. On the other hand, increase in use subsequent to a period of high caries risk indicates that intra individual change in use of fluoride tablets may be initiated by indiv idual risk strategy.