RESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: Dental caries is the most common chronic childhood disease. Products of metabolism by bacteria populating the tooth surface induce development and progression of cavities. OBJECTIVES: We sought to determine whether a polyvinylpyrrolidone-iodine (PVP-I; povidone-iodine) and NaF topical varnish was superior to one containing only NaF in prevention of new dental caries lesions in a single-center randomized active-controlled trial based on a double-blind, parallel-group design. METHODS: The site was Pohnpei State, Federated States of Micronesia. The study population was healthy children 49 to 84 mo old who were enrolled in early childhood education: 284 were randomized (1:1 allocation), and 273 were included in year 1 analysis and 262 in year 2. The test varnish contained 10% PVP-I and 5.0% NaF. The comparator contained only 5.0% NaF but was otherwise identical. Varnishes were applied every 3 mo during 2 y. The primary outcome was the surface-level primary molar caries lesion increment (d2-4mfs) at 2 y. Caries lesion increments from baseline to year 1 and year 2 were compared between conditions with log-linear regression, adjusting for age and sex and whether the tooth was sound at baseline (free of caries lesions). RESULTS: At year 1, the caries lesion increment for primary molars sound at baseline was 0.9 surfaces (SD = 1.5) for the test varnish versus 1.8 (SD = 2.2) for the comparator varnish with fluoride alone (adjusted rate ratio, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.31 to 0.81; P = .005). At year 2, the caries lesion increment for primary molars sound at baseline was 2.3 surfaces (SD = 2.8) for the test varnish as compared with 3.3 (SD = 2.7) for the comparator (adjusted rate ratio, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.52 to 1.03; P = .073). Teeth that were already cavitated at baseline did not show a preventive effect. There were no harms. CONCLUSIONS: A dental varnish containing PVP-I and NaF is effective in the primary prevention of cavities in the primary dentition (NCT03082196). KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER STATEMENT: This study demonstrates that periodic application of a varnish containing NaF and PVP-I is effective in prevention of caries lesions and useful in assessing the potential of combined treatment.
Asunto(s)
Caries Dental , Povidona Yodada , Cariostáticos/uso terapéutico , Niño , Preescolar , Caries Dental/prevención & control , Fluoruros , Fluoruros Tópicos/uso terapéutico , Humanos , Micronesia , Povidona Yodada/uso terapéuticoRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: While associations between salivary characteristics and dental caries have been well studied, we are not aware of this being assessed in a remote Indigenous child population, where lifestyles may be different from urban children. Our aim was to assess associations between caries experience and putative biomarkers in saliva, accounting for oral hygiene and dietary habits. METHODS: Children attending schools in an Indigenous community in remote north Queensland, Australia were invited to an oral examination by qualified and calibrated examiners. Salivary flow rate, pH, buffering capacity and loads of mutans streptococci (MS), lactobacilli (LB) and yeasts were determined. Also, data on tooth brushing frequency and soft drinks consumption were obtained via a questionnaire. Caries experience was recorded by the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS-II), and quantified as decayed, missing and filled surfaces. Relationships between the salivary variables and the cumulative caries experience (dmfs+DMFS) in the deciduous and permanent dentitions were examined by multivariate analyses to control the effect of confounders. RESULTS: The mean cumulative decayed (DS + ds), missing (MS + ms) and filled (FS + fs) surfaces were 3.64 (SD: 4.97), 1.08 (4.38) and 0.79 (1.84) respectively. Higher salivary MS and LB counts, low tooth brushing frequency and daily soft drink consumption were significantly related to greater caries experience. Caries experience was about twice in those with ≥10^5 CFU/ml saliva counts of MS (mean = 6.33, SD: 8.40 vs 3.11, 5.77) and LB (7.03, 7.49 vs 4.41, 8.00). In the fully-adjusted multivariate model, caries experience in those with higher counts of MS and LB were 51 and 52% more than those with lower counts. CONCLUSIONS: As with studies in other populations, childhood salivary counts of MS and LB were significantly associated with greater caries experience in this remote Indigenous community. To address the serious burden of oral disease, we are researching ways to promote a healthy oral environment by encouraging good dietary habits, and emphasising the importance of daily tooth brushing with a fluoridated toothpaste. Our ongoing longitudinal studies will indicate the success of measures employed to reduce the counts of bacteria closely associated with cariogenesis and their impact on caries increment. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ( ANZCTR ), No: ACTRN12615000693527; date of registration: 3rd July 2015.
Asunto(s)
Caries Dental , Saliva/metabolismo , Australia , Niño , Estudios Transversales , Índice CPO , Humanos , Queensland , Streptococcus mutansRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Children in remote Indigenous communities in Australia have levels of dental caries much greater than the national average. One such, the Northern Peninsula Area of Far North Queensland (NPA), had an oral health survey conducted in 2004, shortly before the introduction of fluoridated, reticular water. Children were again surveyed in 2012, following five years exposure. METHODS: An oral examination was conducted on all consenting children enrolled in schools across the community, using WHO Basic Oral Health Survey methodology. RESULTS: Few teeth had restorations in both surveys. Age-weighted overall caries prevalence and severity declined from 2005 to 2012 by 37.3%. The effect was most marked in younger children, dmft decreasing by approximately 50% for ages 4-9 years; at age 6, mean decayed score decreased from 5.20 to 3.43. DMFT levels also decreased by almost half in 6-9 year olds. However, significant unmet treatment needs exist at all ages. CONCLUSIONS: There has been considerable improvement in child dental health in the NPA over the past 6-7 years. In light of continued poor diet and oral hygiene, water fluoridation is the most likely explanation. The cost-effectiveness for this small community remains an issue which, in the current climate of political antagonism to water fluoridation in many quarters, requires continued study.