Five‐year double‐blind fluoridated milk study in scotland

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Abstract
A 5‐yr double‐blind fluoridated milk study has been completed and, following baseline stratification, 94 children aged 4 1/2 / 5 1/2 yr were allocated to the lest group and 93 to the control. Each subject received 200 ml school milk daily, identification between the test and control plastic packs being by colour‐coding alone with (he former containing 1.5 mgF‐ giving a potential topical benefit of approximately 7 ppm F‐ per school day. After 5 yr, 50 of the test children remained and 56 of the controls. While the mean DMFT incremental data relating to permanent teeth was always in favour of the test group, it was not until the fourth year that a significant difference was obtained (P<0.01) between the fluoridated group (mean, 1.65) and the non‐fluoridated group (mean, 2.56). For permanent teeth which were unerupted at baseline, the mean DMFS differences increased to 39.6% at the same time and to 48.0% by the fifth year. No benefit was noted for previously erupted primary teeth. Cavitation was less in the test group throughout the study. When the third, fourth and fifth year DMFT reductions obtained were compared with previously published artificial water fluoridated data where children were of comparable age at the onset of water adjustment, similar caries inhibition data were noted.