Fluoride Caries-control Effectiveness/Feasibility in Children

The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness and feasibility of using silver diamine fluoride solution (SDF) vs. sodium fluoride varnish (NaF) for caries management in children from Bogotá (and its suburban areas) and Cartagena, in terms of: 1. Preventive effect: number of carious dental surfaces (cavitated); 2. Arrest effect: number of arrested carious tooth surfaces (cavitated); 3. Presence and number of adverse effects in soft/hard oral tissues. Null hypothesis: Effectiveness and feasibility of silver diamine fluoride is superior to the sodium fluoride for caries management: Alternative hypothesis: Effectiveness and feasibility of silver diamine fluoride is not superior to the sodium fluoride for caries management. This Randomize Clinical Trial included 752 3-4 year-old medically healthy children from Bogotá and Cartagena. Participants were randomized equality distributed per city to receive either SDF (38%) or NaF (5%) biannually. Primary outcomes: cavity prevention and arresting effect. Secondary: feasibility (adherence, fidelity), dental-care parental satisfaction/acceptance and adverse effects. Data were analysed using t-tests, Chi-square, and Generalized estimating equations -GEE (0.05 statistical significance).