Clinical Trial: Fluoride Varnish in the Prevention of Dental Caries in Aboriginal and Non-aboriginal Children

Study Status: Completed
Recruit Status: Unknown status
Study Type: Interventional

Official Title: Fluoride Varnish in the Prevention of Dental Caries in Aboriginal and Non-aboriginal Children

Brief Summary: The purpose of this study is to determine whether semi-annual fluoride varnish applications combined with caregiver counseling are effective in preventing and reducing a severe form of dental decay, known as early childhood caries, in native and non-native children aged 6 months to 5 years.

Detailed Summary:

Early childhood caries (ECC) is by far the most common chronic disease among Canadian Aboriginal children, affecting nearly 90% of First Nations preschoolers in Ontario. It is the number one cause of oral health disparities between native and non-native children. ECC negatively impacts on the quality of life of children suffering from the disease and the caregivers and family members who care for them. To address the problem of ECC, a range of health promotion campaigns, including parent education aimed at balancing the knowledge and values of First Nations communities with the recommendations of the scientific community, have been implemented but these initiatives have had limited success in reducing the impact of ECC and its treatment.

While oral health promotion campaigns have raised awareness of the severity of ECC among these communities, the literature shows that for this age cohort, increasing host resistance through professionally applied topical fluoride (PATF) applications at regular intervals may achieve better results. Of all the PATF methods, slow-release fluoride varnish may be the most practical alternative to the use of gels, foams and rinses, as it decreases the risk of fluoride ingestion and is associated with greater patient acceptability. Fluoride varnish has shown promise as a caries reduction agent but more evidence for the effectiveness of this intervention is needed, particularly for high-caries-risk populations like those in Aboriginal communities.

The aim of this study is to determine the effectiveness of fluoride varnish (Duraflor, 5% NaF, Pharmascience) combined with caregiver counseling in preventing and reducing ECC in Aboriginal communities, in a 2-year randomized controlled trial. Methods: The trial enrolled 1226 children aged 6 months to 5 years from the Sioux Lookout Zone (SLZ) First Natio
Sponsor: University of Toronto

Current Primary Outcome: Reduction in the 2-year caries increment (dmfs/DMFS index); final follow-up at 24 months.

Original Primary Outcome: Same as current

Current Secondary Outcome: (1) Need for dental treatment under general anaesthesia at 24 months; (2) score on an oral-health-related quality of life scale at 24 months; (3) the annualized cost of fluoride varnish treatment per child

Original Secondary Outcome: Same as current

Information By: University of Toronto

Dates:
Date Received: February 14, 2007
Date Started: June 2003
Date Completion: January 2006
Last Updated: August 21, 2009
Last Verified: August 2009