Caries Preventive Effect of Two Fluoride Varnishes and a Fluoride Mouthrinse

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of fortnightly rinsing with a 0.2% fluoride solution and two fluoride varnishes. A total of 204 ten- to 13-year-old children, in 24 school classes, participated in the study. The school classes were randomly divided into three groups. The first group rinsed with the fluoride solution every second week during the school year, and the second and third groups received semiannual applications of Duraphat® or Fluor Protector®, respectively. Clinical and radiographical examinations were performed at the baseline and after 2 years. The mean caries increments were adjusted for initial DMFS values and age. The increment in the Duraphat group was significantly lower than that in the rinsing group (p < 0.01) and in the Fluor Protector group (p < 0.05). The difference between the rinsing and Fluor Protector group was not statistically significant. The results suggest that the replacement of teacher-supervised fluoride rinses by semiannual application of Duraphat is worth considering.