Influence of an Experimental Sodium Fluoride Dentifrice on Dental Caries Incidence in Children GEORGE K. STOOKEY and BRADLEY B. BEISWANGER Oral Health Research Institute, Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis, 410 Beauty Avenue, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, USA
Schoolchildren residing in a fluoride-deficient area were provided either a sodium fluoride (0.1% F) or a nonfluoride dentifrice for home use. About half the children provided each type of dentifrice were also given an initial prophylaxis. Combining the data with regard to the type of dentifrice indicated that the sodium fluoride dentifrice resulted in dental caries reductions of 24 and 26% as noted by the two examiners, respectively. A multiobjective clinical research study was undertaken in order to investigate in children a clinical technique to evaluate enamel polish, the influence of two different dentifrices on enamel polish, the influence of a sodium fluoride-containing dentifrice on the incidence of dental caries, and the role of a prophylaxis on the influence of an experimental dentifrice on both enamel polish and the incidence of dental caries. The purpose of this report is to summarize the dental caries findings. The findings with regard to enamel polish will be presented elsewhere.' During the past two decades a number of different dentifrices containing sodium fluoride have been investigated clinically. The results of these studies2-8 have shown little promise for such formulations. In retrospect it is quite possible that the major reason for this lack of success may have been the relatively poor compatibility of the fluoride with the cleaning and polishing agent. More recent research9,10 has led to the development of a high-beta-phase calcium pyrophosphate as a dentifrice cleaning and polishing agent This study was supported, in part, by a research grant from the Procter and Gamble Company, Cincin-
nati, Ohio. Received for publication January 25, 1974. Accepted for publication June 24, 1974.
which is more compatible with fluoride than many dentifrice abrasives used previously. Recent reports"l-13 have indicated that the use of this agent in a sodium fluoride dentifrice has resulted in significant reductions in the incidence of dental caries in children. This present study reports the results observed with a similar sodium fluoride dentifrice.
Materials and Methods This study involved a total of 656 schoolchildren between the ages of 8 and 15 years. The children were residents of an area in Indiana which has a water supply that is fluoride-deficient (
Schoolchildren residing in a fluoride-deficient area were provided either a sodium fluoride (0.1% F) or a nonfluoride dentifrice for home use. About half the children provided each type of dentifrice were also given an initial prophylaxis. Combining the data with regard to the type of dentifrice indicated that the sodium fluoride dentifrice resulted in dental caries reductions of 24 and 26% as noted by the two examiners, respectively. A multiobjective clinical research study was undertaken in order to investigate in children a clinical technique to evaluate enamel polish, the influence of two different dentifrices on enamel polish, the influence of a sodium fluoride-containing dentifrice on the incidence of dental caries, and the role of a prophylaxis on the influence of an experimental dentifrice on both enamel polish and the incidence of dental caries. The purpose of this report is to summarize the dental caries findings. The findings with regard to enamel polish will be presented elsewhere.' During the past two decades a number of different dentifrices containing sodium fluoride have been investigated clinically. The results of these studies2-8 have shown little promise for such formulations. In retrospect it is quite possible that the major reason for this lack of success may have been the relatively poor compatibility of the fluoride with the cleaning and polishing agent. More recent research9,10 has led to the development of a high-beta-phase calcium pyrophosphate as a dentifrice cleaning and polishing agent This study was supported, in part, by a research grant from the Procter and Gamble Company, Cincin-
nati, Ohio. Received for publication January 25, 1974. Accepted for publication June 24, 1974.
which is more compatible with fluoride than many dentifrice abrasives used previously. Recent reports"l-13 have indicated that the use of this agent in a sodium fluoride dentifrice has resulted in significant reductions in the incidence of dental caries in children. This present study reports the results observed with a similar sodium fluoride dentifrice.
Materials and Methods This study involved a total of 656 schoolchildren between the ages of 8 and 15 years. The children were residents of an area in Indiana which has a water supply that is fluoride-deficient (
