Glass Ionomer Sealant and Fluoride Varnish Study to Prevent Early Childhood Caries

Glass Ionomer Sealant and Fluoride Varnish Randomized Clinical Trial

The goal of this project is to conduct a community-based randomized clinical trial to compare the caries prevention efficacy of fluoride varnish applied every six months vs. fluoride varnish applied every six months and fluoride releasing glass ionomer sealants applied annually to the eligible occlusal surfaces of primary molars in 3-6-year-old children.

Community-based, stratified (by location) randomized clinical trial (RCT) to determine the relative efficacy of topically applied fluoride varnish (FV) applications alone vs FV with fluoride-releasing glass ionomer (GI) sealants on occlusal surfaces of primary molars in reducing the caries incidence and increment in 3-6 year old children. A parallel groups design RCT stratified by study site (one dental and one non-dental location) will be conducted among 596 initially 2.5- to 3-year-old children. Those eligible will be randomized to one of 2 groups (FV or GIS+FV) and followed for 36 months. The RCT will take place at two sites serving primarily underserved, minority and low-income populations in Southern California: 1) the dental facility of the San Ysidro Health Center (SYHC) located near the U.S.-Mexican Border serves mainly Latino immigrants, and 2) the Comprehensive Health Center - Ocean View (CHC-OV), in a non-dental setting in close proximity to its dental clinic, which serves Latinos and African Americans. Both sites are part of a consortium of community clinics (SYHC Inc) and are located 15 miles apart from each other.

Annual study dental examinations will be performed by trained, calibrated, study dentists to determine caries (precavitated and cavitated) incidence and increment. Children identified as needing dental care will be referred for appropriate treatment.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Family resides in the South Bay or Central San Diego area
• Parent/Guardian can consent in English or Spanish
• Child has 1-8 caries-free primary molars (with no occlusal pre-cavitation and no restoration)
• Child is cooperative and behaviorally suited for the clinical trial interventions
• Child is a registered patient at San Ysidro Health Center Inc.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Any siblings of participants
• Child with cavitated lesions
• Child with a health condition, special need, or with a complicated factor that will prevent from completing the required number of visits during a 36-month follow-up period
• Anything, that in the opinion of the investigator, would preclude the child from complying with the protocol or jeopardize the safety of the child while on the protocol