THE EFFECT OF SODIUM FLUORIDE APPLICATION ON THE DENTAL CARIES EXPERIENCE IN ADULTS

¹ University of Nebraska College of Medicine, Omaha, Neb., and University of Nebraska College of Dentistry, Lincoln, Neb.

1. One hundred forty-seven medical students, 20 to 42 years of age (median age 24 years), had two quadrants in their mouths treated with a 2 per cent solution of sodium fluoride. Fifty per cent of the students received treatments on the right quadrants and the other fifty per cent were treated on the left quadrants. The opposite quadrants in each case served as controls. Clinical and roentgenographic examinations were made before the last sodium fluoride treatment was given and again approximately 13.5 months later. The same examiner made both examinations.

2. Evaluation of new caries in 294 treated quadrants and 294 nontreated quadrants showed no significant difference in the dental caries incidence.

3. On the basis of total new caries, or on the basis of each individual's results, there was no significant reduction in the dental caries incidence.