<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><sec id="j_sjph-2017-0018_s_006_w2aab2b8c16b1b7b1aab1c15b1Aa"><h3>Aim</h3><p>The aim of our study was to chronologically analyse various public health measures of fluoride use in caries prevention.</p></sec><sec id="j_sjph-2017-0018_s_007_w2aab2b8c16b1b7b1aab1c15b2Aa"><h3>Methods</h3><p>We systematically searched the PubMed database on the preventive role of fluorides in public health, published from 1984 to 2014. The search process was divided into four steps, where inclusion and exclusion criteria were defined. Qualitative methodology was used for the article analysis. In the research process, the described forms of F use, diversity of the described F agents, and the observed population group were analysed.</p></sec><sec id="j_sjph-2017-0018_s_008_w2aab2b8c16b1b7b1aab1c15b3Aa"><h3>Results</h3><p>In our systematic review, 40 relevant reviews were revealed. Fluorides have been used in many different forms, but only a few studies showed their significant role in public health. Water fluoridation was the most important public health measure. In the recent decades, the number of studies on topical fluorides is constantly rising. The most extensively described topical forms of fluorides are professionally applied fluoride agents and fluoride toothpaste for home-use. The use of fluoride containing toothpaste in caries prevention is a safe and successful public health measure (PHM) if their use is widespread, and it is recommended for all. The results on other topical forms of fluorides are insufficient to be suggested as an important PHM.</p></sec><sec id="j_sjph-2017-0018_s_009_w2aab2b8c16b1b7b1aab1c15b4Aa"><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>The role of fluorides in public health prevention has changed in accordance with the knowledge about the fluoride cariostatic mechanism. Previously the most important pre-eruptive effect of fluorides was supplemented by the post eruptive effect. Abundant evidence exists to show the effectiveness of systemic and topical fluorides.</p></sec></abstract>

AimThe aim of our study was to chronologically analyse various public health measures of fluoride use in caries prevention.MethodsWe systematically searched the PubMed database on the preventive role of fluorides in public health, published from 1984 to 2014. The search process was divided into four steps, where inclusion and exclusion criteria were defined. Qualitative methodology was used for the article analysis. In the research process, the described forms of F use, diversity of the described F agents, and the observed population group were analysed.ResultsIn our systematic review, 40 relevant reviews were revealed. Fluorides have been used in many different forms, but only a few studies showed their significant role in public health. Water fluoridation was the most important public health measure. In the recent decades, the number of studies on topical fluorides is constantly rising. The most extensively described topical forms of fluorides are professionally applied fluoride agents and fluoride toothpaste for home-use. The use of fluoride containing toothpaste in caries prevention is a safe and successful public health measure (PHM) if their use is widespread, and it is recommended for all. The results on other topical forms of fluorides are insufficient to be suggested as an important PHM.ConclusionsThe role of fluorides in public health prevention has changed in accordance with the knowledge about the fluoride cariostatic mechanism. Previously the most important pre-eruptive effect of fluorides was supplemented by the post eruptive effect. Abundant evidence exists to show the effectiveness of systemic and topical fluorides.

The history of public health use of fluorides in caries prevention

University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Public Health, Zaloška 4, 1000 Ljubljana,

University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Dental Clinic, Hrvatski trg 6, 1000 Ljubljana,

Slovenian Journal of Public Health

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

ZGODOVINA JAVNOZDRAVSTVENE UPORABE FLUORIDOV V PREVENTIVI KARIESA

AimThe aim of our study was to chronologically analyse various public health measures of fluoride use in caries prevention.MethodsWe systematically searched...

The history of public health use of fluorides in caries prevention

Article Category: Review article

Published Online: Feb 26, 2017

Page range: 140 - 146

Received: Feb 02, 2016

Accepted: Nov 15, 2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/sjph-2017-0018

Keywords
fluorides, public health dentistry, caries prevention, epidemiology

© National Institute of Public Health, Slovenia

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

The history of public health use of fluorides in caries prevention

Article Category: Review article

Published Online: Feb 26, 2017

Page range: 140 - 146

Received: Feb 02, 2016

Accepted: Nov 15, 2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/sjph-2017-0018

Keywordsfluorides, public health dentistry, caries prevention, epidemiology

© National Institute of Public Health, Slovenia

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
fluorides, public health dentistry, caries prevention, epidemiology