Health Education and Use of Fluoride Products to Control Caries in Children

INTERVENTION: Fluorides, Topical Health Education Other Participants in this research will be children and parents and / or guardians, who have low income, and attending public daycare centers in Teresina. They have access to fluoridated water from the public system. The epidemiological clinical examination will be carried out in the day care center itself, to select the sample. Two kindergartens from the same neighborhood will be selected by low‐income children. Children will be randomly selected to participate in one of two groups. Each participant will be inserted into a list based on numerical sequence. Through Excel will be held the lottery to allocate each participant to his group. Parents / guardians will be asked to perform the dental brushing of the child in the day care facilities. At that moment the researcher will evaluate the procedure and provide guidance on how this can be improved, clarifying all doubts and seeking to assist caregivers in the execution of oral hygiene. Then the children will be divided into two groups (114 per group). In group 1, composed of 114 children will receive application of fluoride varnish (Duraphat, Colgate®). The teeth will be isolated with cotton and dry with gauze, and the varnish applied with the help of microbrush (KG Sorensen. The application will be carried out on a quarterly basis during 3 years of follow up. In group 2, composed of 114 children, fluoride neutral gel (2% sodium fluoride ‐ DFL, Rio de Janeiro) will be applied with toothbrush for one minute. The excesses will be removed with gauze. The application will be performed on a quarterly basis during 3 years of follow‐up. Responsible oral hygiene guidelines will occur each year and applications of fluorides (fluoridated neutral gel or lacquer) with fluoride dentifrice will be given quarterly, with toothbrush donation, for three years. After each year of intervention, the questionnaire will be reapplied to parents / guardians to evaluate changes in dietary habits and oral hygiene. The children CONDITION: Dental Caries dental caries; gingivitis ; Dental Caries ; Gingivitis Gingivitis PRIMARY OUTCOME: The incidence of new dental caries lesions, verified by the difference between the existing lesions and the appearance of new lesions, after the stipulated follow ‐ up period. Evaluating if there is at least 5% variation. SECONDARY OUTCOME: This is the first expected secondary outcome: Altering dietary habits and oral hygiene measured through parental knowledge at the beginning and end of the research. Evaluating if there is at least 5% variation. This is the second expected secondary outcome: Change in caries lesions from inactive to inactive, measured by assessing the appearance of the lesion at the start of the study and at the end of the study. Evaluating if there is at least 5% variation. INCLUSION CRITERIA: Under 4 years old; residents of Teresina Piauí for at least one year; fixed address; telephone number; regularly enrolled in day‐care centers.