Does fluoride rinsing have an effect on teeth status? Evaluation of preventive dental health activities for the youth of Woudenberg, The Netherlands.

Surveys among primary school children of group 8 (mainly 12-year olds) in 1988/1989 and 1995/1996 revealed that the dental status in Woudenberg was worse than in other municipalities in the Eemland region. Therefore, several dental preventive activities were started in Woudenberg for children aged 0-12 years. This included fluoride rinsing and teeth brushing lessons at primary schools. So as to evaluate the effect of these school activities, a new survey was carried out in Woudenberg in 2004. The teeth status (DMF-S value, percentage sound teeth, percentage erosion) was investigated by examination. Information regarding dental hygiene behaviour and participation in teeth brushing lessons was obtained by questionnaire. Teeth status (measured by DMF-S value as well as percentage sound teeth) at rinsing schools in 2004 was significantly better than at the same schools in 1995/1996. Multivariate analyses revealed that fluoride rinsing for at least 3 years (besides educational level of parents) is the most determining factor for teeth status independent of other variables. Pupils who never rinsed with fluoride were almost four times more likely to have caries lesions than pupils who rinsed for at least 3 years. This study strongly indicates that long-term rinsing with fluoride has a positive effect on teeth status.