The ‘Northern Ireland Caries Prevention in Practice’, trial will investigate the effectiveness of professionally applied fluoride varnish in preventing tooth decay in young children. These children will also use fluoride toothpaste at home.
Around 2,400 children and 50 dental sites across Northern Ireland will be involved in the trial. Each child will be monitored over three years to check if they develop dental caries (decay).
Launching the trial, the Minister said: “This trial will investigate a new approach to preventing tooth decay at an early age by applying fluoride varnish to teeth as well as using fluoride toothpaste.
“It is vitally important that we look at new approaches to tackling tooth decay as unfortunately, young people in Northern Ireland have the worst oral health in the British Isles and indeed some of the worst oral health in Western Europe. The health service also currently spends around £60million per year to repair the result of tooth decay.
“Last year for example, 26,500 teeth were extracted from children who underwent a general anaesthetic in hospital for dental extraction. While this figure is a marked improvement over previous years, it is still way too high and unacceptable.
“Our priority should be prevention, with a focus on keeping our young children free of dental decay.
“We know of course that reducing our consumption of sugary foods and drink is extremely effective in preventing dental decay but experience has shown us that, although patients understand this message, they tend not to change their diet sufficiently to make a difference to their oral health. The use of fluoride through this trial offers us the best opportunity to make a significant impact in improving our oral health.”
The Minister concluded: “Investing in preventive care now will provide dividends for the next generation. I very much look forward to the results of this trial and wish the team every success.”
Notes to editors:
1. The trial has been developed through a partnership between Manchester University, the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, the Health and Social Care Board, the NI Research and Development Office and the British Dental Association.
2. The clinical section of the trial will last for three years, with a further year for assessment and reporting.
3. Practices with sufficient children will be selected. Once practice recruitment is complete, an agreed process for recruiting suitable children will be carried out with full consent from parents or carers.
4. The trial will cost a total of £1.7million, with the majority of funding coming from the National Institute of Health Research Health Technology Assessment with remainder coming from the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety and the NI Research and Development Office.
5. The trial supports the aims and objectives of the Oral Health Strategy 2007
6. NI has worst oral health in UK – strongly linked to deprivation:
A five year old in NI has, on average, over 2.5 teeth affected by decay;
A five year old in the Republic of Ireland has, on average, less than one tooth affected by decay
A five year old in England has, on average, over 1.5 teeth affected by decay.
