Dental caries prevention program based on the mechanical control of the bacterial plaque in children, through the periodic professional prophylaxis. Results after 25 years of attendance

José Eduardo de Oliveira LIMA

Aim: This study investigated the incidence of dental caries in a prevention program applied for 25 years. Methods: A total of 640 children of both genders aged 3 to 15 years old participated in the program, which was based on mechanical plaque control by professional prophylaxis with sodium bicarbonate jet on a monthly basis. The incidence of dental caries was investigated by clinical and radiographic examination during attendances. Results: Upon inclusion in the program, the mean age of children was 7.8 years; the mean number of decayed tooth surfaces was 5.3 at the onset and 0.18 at completion of the program. The caries incidence per year was 0.9 surface before the program and 0.03 surface during the program. Children were followed-up in the program for a mean period of 52.68 months, with a mean absence of 0.5 per year. These results demonstrate the success of the program, mainly because it attempts to balance the biodiversity in the oral cavity without the risk of undesirable side effects. Conclusions: In conclusion, this seems to be the shortest way to solve the program of dental caries, i.e., mechanical plaque control by monthly professional prophylaxis, since this method may be applied to any child, regardless of the psychomotor and social conditions; it provides the better cost-benefi t relationship and agrees with the newest concepts of dental caries and its etiologic factors.

Keywords: Caries prevention. Caries prevention program. Regular professional prophylaxis.

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