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EFFECTIVENESS OF FLUORIDE VARNISH IN THE PREVENTION OF EARLY STAGES OF CARIES (NON CAVITY LESION) IN CHILDREN WITH EARLY CHILDHOOD CARIES

Ag. Begzati, B. Xhemajli, Aj. Begzati, V. Maxhuni, V. Hyseni

Abstract

Introduction: Dental caries is a disease that affects all age groups, most commonly children. Dental caries in preschool represents a health and a social problem, especially when the the provision of preventive measures and the treatment rate are very low. A severe category of dental caries that is very common among children of preschool age is known as early childhood caries (ECC). In an earlier study, the prevalence of ECC in preschool children of Kosovo was 17.4%, while the mean dmft in children with ECC was 11. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of initial stage of caries (non cavity lesion) among preschool children and the preventive effectiveness of fluoride varnish application. Methods: To assess efficacy of Fluoride application in the early stage of caries, from the total number of examined children (250),age 21 month, in the study was included the children with initial caries (cod 01-02). Dental status was recorded based on International caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) index. Examined children received topical application of fluoride varnish (Fluor Protector S contains 1.5% ammonium fluoride, 7700 ppm, Ivoclar/Vivadent) 4 times a year, over two years. Statistical tests included T-test or analysis of the variance (One Way ANOVA). This study was approved by the Ethical Board of the Medical Faculty of Kosova. Parents are informed of the nature and purpose of the research. All participantsВ’ parents gave informed consent. Results: From the total number of caries lesions, in initial lesion (non-cavity, 01-02), were 70%. After two-year application of fluoride varnish, the incidence of non-cavity lesion (01-02) was lower. The prevalence of non-cavity caries has increased for two years only 8.5% . This means that the fluoride fraction increase has strengthened the resistance to tooth decay; therefore the number of new non-cavity lesions after two year of Fluor varnish application is significantly smaller. Conclusion: First signs of caries in early childhood, also known as "white spot lesion" (expressed as code 01 and 02 of the ICDAS structure), represent the beginning of the caries in the early childhood (ECC). The application of fluoride varnish during a two-year period (four times per year), has proven effective in reducing the prevalence of caries, and significant reduction of the caries incidence.

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