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| A meta-analysis of clinical studies on the caries-inhibiting effect of fluoride gel treatment |
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| Author(s): van Rijkom HM, Truin GJ, van't Hof MA |
| Source: CARIES RESEARCH Volume: 32 Issue: 2 Pages: 83-92 Published: MAR-APR 1998 |
| Times Cited: 40 References: 56 |
| Abstract: A meta-analysis was performed on published data on the caries-inhibiting effect of fluoride gel treatment in 6- to 15-year-old children. The purposes of this metaanalysis were: (I) to calculate the overall caries-inhibiting effect of clinical fluoride gel treatment studies, based on explicit selection criteria, and (2) to explore factors potentially modifying the effect of fluoride gel treatment in caries prevention, concerning the baseline caries prevalence of the target population, the general fluoride regimen, and application features. The caries-inhibiting effect of fluoride gel application was assessed by the prevented fraction and the 'number needed to treat'. The overal prevented fraction of the fluoride gel treatment studies, indicating the reduction of caries incidence by fluoride gel treatment relative to the incidence in the control group, was 22% (95% CI=18-25%). Multiple regression analysis showed no significant influence on the prevented fractions for the variables 'baseline caries prevalence', 'general fluoride regimen', 'application method', and 'application frequency'. The 'number needed to treat' (NNT), indicating the number of patients that need to be treated in order to prevent 1 DMFS, estimated the efficiency of fluoride gel treatment according to the caries incidence of the target population, including cost/effect relations. It was found that the NNT = 18 in a population with caries incidence 0.25 DMFS per year, and NNT = 3 in a population with caries incidence = 1.5 DMFS per year (treatment duration 1 year). From the standpoint of cost-effectiveness, the additional effect of fluoride gel treatment in current low and even moderate caries incidence child populations must be questioned. |
| Document Type: Article |
| Language: English |
| Reprint Address: van Rijkom, HM (reprint author), Univ Nijmegen, Coll Dent Sci, Dept Prevent & Community Dent & Pedodont 117, POB 9101, NL-6500 HB Nijmegen, Netherlands |
Addresses:
1. Univ Nijmegen, Coll Dent Sci, Dept Prevent & Community Dent & Pedodont 117, NL-6500 HB Nijmegen, Netherlands
2. Univ Nijmegen, Dept Med Stat, Coll Dent Sci, Nijmegen, Netherlands |
| Publisher: KARGER, ALLSCHWILERSTRASSE 10, CH-4009 BASEL, SWITZERLAND |
| Subject Category: Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine |
| IDS Number: ZC294 |
| ISSN: 0008-6568 |
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