THE 48-MONTH INCREMENT OF ROOT CARIES IN AN URBAN-POPULATION OF OLDER ADULTS PARTICIPATING IN A PREVENTIVE DENTAL PROGRAM

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a 48-month preventive dental program on the incidence of root caries in an urban, geriatric, noninstitutionalized population residing in an optimally fluoridated area. The 466 participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups at baseline. Group A (control): 171 subjects using a placebo mouthrinse daily; group B: 147 subjects receiving semiannual applications of a topical APF gel (1.2% F) with the daily use of a placebo mouthrinse; group C: 148 subjects using a fluoridated mouthrinse daily, ACT (0.05% F). At baseline, the numbers of surfaces at risk, and decayed and filled surfaces were recorded. After 48 months, in addition, the number of reversed and new lesions were determined, and the incremental DMFS calculated. The data were analyzed by ANCOVA. The incremental DMFS were: A=0.91, B=0.27, C=0.26. The incremental DMFS in groups B and C were significantly lower than in group A (P<.05). The number of reversed lesions in group C (1.53 +/- 2.03) was significantly greater than in group A (1.11 +/- 1.74) and group B (1.01 +/- 1.86) (P<.05). The number of new lesions in group B (1.36 +/- 2.00) was significantly less than in group A (1.99 +/- 2.65) (P<.05). The daily use of the fluoride mouthrinse significantly increased the number of reversed lesions.