[Long-term use of fluoride lacquer in preventive care of school children in area of basic care].

The spread of caries in the city of Rostock was studied from 1979 to 1988 in pupils from classes 1 to 8 where the fluoride varnish application three times a year (Duraphat) was the most important caries prophylaxis measure. All children were included in the evaluation, even those who had entered the school for the first time during the study period and had not had any prior prophylactic treatment. A special study was also made in a single class in the 1st and 6th years, respectively, to compare varnish application by cotton swabs with barrel ampoule injection. A significant reduction in caries was registered in all age groups. The application with barrel ampoule injection proved to be more economical and practical than the cotton swab application. On the whole Duraphat fluoride varnish reasserted its importance in caries prophylaxis and can be regarded as extremely well suited for individual and collective prevention.