[Dental caries in the cantons of Glarus and Waadt, 4 years and 8 years after the introduction of fluordized salt]

Abstract

In 1955 for the first time 90 mg of fluoride was added to 1-kg domestic salt packages in Switzerland. This dosage turned out to be too low for an effective inhibition of caries. Later the fluoride level of salt for use in households, bakeries, canteens and restaurants was raised to 250 mg/kg in the cantons of Vaud (1970) and Glarus (1975). Average numbers of DMF-teeth of schoolchildren initially and after 4 years (canton of Glarus) and 8 years (canton of Vaud) of salt fluoridation (250 ppmF) show a reduction of caries experience. Decreases failed to appear only in age classes with initially low caries experience, the latter having been due to previous distribution of fluoride tablets.