Abstract

Objective: To demonstrate the effectiveness of a dental caries prevention program on the primary dentition of Chilean rural children, using fluoridated powdered milk and milk derivatives. Methods: Fluoridated milk and milk-cereal was given to about 1000 preschool children in Codegua, a rural community located in the 6th Region of Chile, using the standard National Complementary Feeding Program (PNAC). The daily fluoride dose from fluoridated powdered milk was estimated at 0.25 mg for infants (0-2 years old), 0.5 mg for children aged 2-3 years and 0.75 for children aged 3-6 years. Cross-sectional samples of children aged 3-6 years were taken from Codegua (study community) from 1994 to 1999 and from La Punta (control community) from 1997 and 1999. Results: Significant reductions (72%) were observed in the dmfs indices in the 3-6-year-old groups in Codegua, when comparing 1999 with 1994 data. In 1999, children in the study community showed significantly lower dmfs than children in the control community (41%). The proportion of caries-free children in the study community increased after 4 years of program implementation (from 22.0% to 48.4%). Conclusion: Under Chilean rural conditions, fluoridation of powdered milk distributed through the PNAC is an effective caries prevention alternative for areas where water fluoridation might not be feasible.