The article Assessing the Effect of Fluoride Varnish in Early Enamel Carious Lesions in the Primary Dentition concentrates on the issue of health care among 2 to 5-year-old children from indigent families: safe and effective preventive measures are needed to control enamel caries progression. The effect of fluoride varnish on deciduous teeth is studied. Although its clinical effectiveness has already been explored, research on caries reduction in primary dentition lacks proper documentation or has produced inconclusive results. Thus, a hypothesis is formulated: fluoride varnish applications are potentially favorable for reversing active pit-and-fissure enamel lesions in the primary dentition (Autio-Gold & Courts, 2001).
The study design includes the process of selecting the participants: 59 children randomly formed a varnish group, and 89 children went into a control group. The racial, age and sex composition of the groups was similar. Active and inactive enamel carious lesions were considered. As for the intervention, the study group received topical applications of fluoride varnish at baseline and in four months (Autio-Gold & Courts, 2001). Each child was instructed about how to drink, eat, and clean their teeth. The primary outcome demonstrates the slight increase in caries prevalence in the control group nine months later. The following criteria are taken into account: dmfs (decayed, missing, and filled surfaces), dmft (decayed, missing, and filled teeth), and ds (decayed surfaces) (Autio-Gold & Courts, 2001). The data shows that the improvement in the varnish group is more sustained. For example, more than 80% of active enamel lesions were inactive; in comparison, this rate was 37.8% in the control group.
Just as any experimental study, the present research has specific characteristics. In an interventional study, a researcher forms a hypothesis and conducts an experiment. To discover the effect of some condition (independent variable) on a certain consequence (dependent variable), randomly assigned participants should be involved (What is an experimental study, 2016). Indeed, the hypothesis was given; the children were selected randomly; the usage of fluoride varnish on deciduous teeth and caries increase/decrease are the independent and dependent variables correspondingly. What is more, the experiment is blind: as the authors state, the examination of the subjects was set by calibrated dentists unaware of the treatment group to which the children belonged (Autio-Gold & Courts, 2001). To ensure the reliability of the experiment, inter examination was introduced: 8 to 10 percent of the children were re-examined at each experimental stage. The data are anchored: the level of agreement varies from substantial to excellent.
Two ethical issues should be mentioned in relation to the study. First of all, participation must be voluntary and harmless. In the course of the experiment, 35 children dropped out for a number of reasons (moving from the community, refusal to continue, and others); six children were excluded since the condition of their anterior teeth demanded immediate treatment. The second principle is honesty: before the investigation, the children’s parents received the information concerning the procedures, possible discomforts, risks, and benefits and gave their written consent (Autio-Gold & Courts, 2001).
All in all, the study is of paramount importance for dental public health. The level of untreated decay in the primary dentition among low-income families is still high. To solve this widespread problem, an easy and safe method of treatment and prevention is needed. Fluoride varnish has proven to be an appropriate measure: it is convenient and well-accepted by people. The study demonstrates that it will be effective as a non-surgical alternative in the sphere of children’s dentistry.
References
Autio-Gold, J. T., & Courts, F. (2001). Assessing the effect of fluoride varnish on early enamel carious lesions in the primary dentition. Journal of the American Dental Association, 132(9), 1247-1253.
What is experimental study. (2016). Web.