Effect of Prior Toothcleaning on Bi-Annual Professional Acidulated Phosphate Fluoride Topical Fluoride Gel-Tray Treatments

Abstract

Need for professional prophylaxis prior to an acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF) topical fluoride gel-tray application was assessed by comparing 3 years’ caries increments in three groups of school children. The children were initially 10–14 years old and resided in a fluoride-deficient community (F ≤ 0.1 ppm). All received bi-annual APF topical fluoride gel-tray treatments performed in the children’s schools by hygienist-assistant teams using portable equipment. Group I had a hygienist-administered prophylaxis with a fluoride-free prophylaxis paste prior to the fluoride treatment, and served as the positive control. Group II brushed and flossed their teeth under supervision, and group III had no toothcleaning prior to the topical fluoride treatment. Of 1,453 children examined at baseline, 949 were available for the final examination. There were no statistically significant differences between the 3 years’ DMFS or DMFT increments of groups II and III compared to group I. This result indicates that a meticulous, professionally administered prophylaxis may not be necessary before patients are given a topical fluoride treatment.