Fluoride Application on Preventing and Arresting Root Caries in Fluoridated and Non-fluoridated Areas

• Status: Completed
• Trial end date: 2015-12-01
• Target enrollment: 0
• Participant gender: All

Summary

This study was a randomized clinical trial lasting for 24 months in two study sites, Hong Kong (water fluoridated) and Guangzhou (non-fluoridated area). A total of 534 subjects will be recruited from elderly social centers located in different districts in the two study sites (260 & 274). Baseline clinical examination was conducted by a single calibrated examiner in the social centers using an intra-oral LED light, mouth mirrors and probes. Subjects were randomly allocated into two study groups and receive interventions accordingly. Follow-up examinations at 6-month intervals were carried out to assess the clinical outcomes, i.e. whether new root caries developed and whether the active root caries found at baseline become arrested. Results of this study could provide the much needed evidence to guide the dental professionals in Hong Kong and China, and possibly worldwide in deciding on the most appropriate intervention for the prevention and management of this common dental disease of the older adults.

• Phase: Phase 2/Phase 3
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers?: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Details

• Lead Sponsor: The University of Hong Kong
• Collaborator: Sun Yat-sen University
• Treatments: Fluorides

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. have at least 5 teeth with exposed root surfaces and not indicated for extraction, and

2. living in the community and have self-care ability for normal daily activities.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. have life-threatening or serious health problems,

2. have cognitive problems in communication or in receiving oral hygiene instructions

3. have salivary gland diseases or received radiotherapy in the head and neck region.