William S. Driscoll

Evaluation of a Combination of Self-Administered Fluoride Procedures for Control of Dental Caries in a Non-Fluoride Area: Findings after 2 Years

In 1972, a self-administered fluoride program was initiated in Nelson County, Va., a fluoride-deficient area. Children in elementary school (grades 1–6) ingest daily an acidulated phosphate-fluoride tablet (1 mg F), rinse weekly with a 0.2% NaF solution and are provided with an F dentifrice for use at home. Baseline dental exams (DMFS) were made of 2,135 children in grades 1–12. In 1974, follow-up exams were made in grades 1–8 (ages 6–13). Baseline findings for children aged 6–13 in 1972 showed a mean prevalence of 5.42 DMFS. The corresponding score for their cohorts in 1974 was 4.60 DMFS, a difference of 15.1%. The data were also analyzed using estimates of 2-years caries increments at the baseline and from 1972 to 1974. For all 2-year age spans (6–8 through 11–13), the estimated mean increment was 33.5% lower after 2 years of the program than prior to its initiation.

A Procedure for Estimating Sample Size in Clinical Trials of Dental Caries Preventives

A procedure developed by Feldt and Mahmoud for estimating sample size was applied to clinical trials of dental caries preventives. The procedure was modified to account for features common to most clinical trials of cariostatic agents.