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.