|
Program |
Effectiveness
(%) |
Adult
Benefits |
Cost
per Year |
Practicality |
 |
Community fluoridation |
20–40
|
Demonstrated |
50.51 per capita‡
50.72 per capita† |
Excellent, most practical; no individual effort necessary |
| School fluoridation |
20–30§ |
Expected but not demonstrated |
$0.85–$9.88 per child‡
$1.19–$13.83 per child† |
Good; if there is no central community water supply, no individual
effort necessary |
| School dietary fluoride |
30 |
Expected but not demonstrated |
$0.81–$5.40 per child‡¥
$1.13–$7.56 per child† |
Fair, continued school regimen;
daily supplement program required for children ages 8–10 |
| School fluoride mouth rinse program |
25–28§ |
Not expected |
$0.52–$1.78 per child‡¥
$0.73–$2.49 per child† |
Fair, continued daily or weekly school regimen required |
| School sealant program |
51–67¶ |
Expected but not demonstrated |
$13.07–$28.37 per child‡
$18.30–$39.72 per child† |
Good; primarily done for children ages 6–8
and 12–14 |
|
*This table is a simplified
comparison of these prevention programs. A thorough analysis
of the literature should be
undertaken to understand the relative merits of these programs.
†In 1999
dollars.
‡ In 1989 dollars.
§ This
range may now be high; no recent studies are available.
¥ Includes
use of volunteer personnel.
¶ First molar chewing surfaces only over 5-year period. |
Source: Allukian Jr. M. 2003. Oral disease: The neglected epidemic.
In Scutchfield FF, Keck, CW, eds., Principles of Public Health
Practice (2nd ed.). Albany, NY: Delmar Publishers.
|
