Effect of fluoride varnish on caries prevention of partially erupted of permanent molar in high caries risk

Abstract

The objective of this study was to measure the effectiveness of fluoride varnish as a public health intervention to prevent caries on partially erupted first and second permanent molars among 6-11 year old children at high risk for caries. In a six-month clinical trial, 105 children were randomly divided into a fluoride varnish (Duraphat®) group (117 molars) or a control group (117 molars). The chisquare test used to compare caries occurrence in each group with a 95% level of confidence (p < 0.05) at the intervals of 3 months. Compared to control, fluoride varnish resulted in 79% and 77.5% caries reduction in partially erupted permanent molars at 3 and 6 months, respectively. There were statistically significant differences in caries progression between the groups at 3 and 6 months. Fluoride varnish significantly reduced carious lesions in partially erupted molars at six months among high caries risk children.