Jones JA, Gibson G, Cabral HJ, Wehler CJ, Orner MB, Jurasic MM. Effectiveness of fluorides in root caries prevention, Department of Veterans Affairs (2009-2018).
SPECIAL CARE IN DENTISTRY 2024;
44:575-583. [PMID:
37322562 PMCID:
PMC10721720 DOI:
10.1111/scd.12894]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
AIMS
The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of topical fluorides in prevention of root caries-related treatment in high caries risk Veterans.
METHODS
This retrospective analysis of longitudinal data examined the effectiveness of professionally applied or prescription (Rx) fluoride treatment, in VHA clinics from FY 2009-2018. Professional fluoride treatments included 5% Sodium Fluoride (NaF) varnish (22 600 ppm fluoride), 2% NaF gel/rinse (9050 ppm fluoride), and 1.23% APF gel (12 300 ppm fluoride). The Rx for daily home use was 1.1% NaF paste/gel (5000 ppm fluoride). Outcomes studied were new root caries restorations or extractions and percent of patients with treatment over 1 year. Logistic regressions were adjusted for age, gender, race, ethnicity, chronic medical or psychiatric conditions, number of medication classes, anticholinergic drugs, smoking, baseline root caries treatment, preventive care, and time between first-last restoration in the index year.
RESULTS
Root caries at baseline was associated with a high risk for new root caries. Veterans without root caries during the index year who received a fluoride gel/rinse intervention were 32-40% less likely to receive caries-related treatment for root caries during the follow-up period. Once Veterans had root caries, fluorides did not exhibit a positive effect.
CONCLUSION
In older adults with high caries risk, early fluoride prevention is key, before root caries requires treatment.
Collapse