A community trial of flouridated powdered milk in Chile

Citation
R. Marino et al., A community trial of flouridated powdered milk in Chile, COMM DEN OR, 29(6), 2001, pp. 435-442
Citations number
37
Language
INGLESE
art.tipo
Article
Categorie Soggetti
Dentistry/Oral Surgery & Medicine
Journal title
COMMUNITY DENTISTRY AND ORAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
ISSN journal
0301-5661 → ACNP
Volume
29
Issue
6
Year of publication
2001
Pages
435 - 442
Database
ISI
SICI code
0301-5661(200112)29:6<435:ACTOFP>2.0.ZU;2-L
Abstract
Objective: To demonstrate the effectiveness of a dental caries prevention p rogram on the primary dentition of Chilean rural children, using fluoridate d powdered milk and milk derivatives. Methods: Fluoridated milk and milk-ce real was given to about 1000 preschool children in Codegua, a rural communi ty located in the 6(th) Region of Chile, using the standard National Comple mentary Feeding Program (PNAC). The daily fluoride dose from fluoridated po wdered milk was estimated at 0.25 mg for infants (0-2 years old), 0.5 mg fo r children aged 2-3 years and 0.75 for children aged 3-6 years. Cross-secti onal samples of children aged 3-6 years were taken from Codegua (study comm unity) from 1994 to 1999 and from La Punta (control community) from 1997 an d 1999. Results: Significant reductions (72%) were observed in the dmfs ind ices in the 3-6-year-old groups in Codegua, when comparing 1999 with 1994 d ata. In 1999, children in the study community showed significantly lower dm fs than children in the control community (41%). The proportion of caries-f ree children in the study community increased after 4 years of program impl ementation (from 22.0% to 48.4%). Conclusion: Under Chilean rural condition s, fluoridation of powdered milk. distributed through the PNAC is an effect ive caries prevention alternative for areas where water fluoridation might not be feasible.