FEASIBILITY OF MILK FLUORIDATION AND TRENDS IN DENTAL CARIES OF CHILDREN IN CHINA

Abstract—The aim of the study is to investigate the feasibility of milk fluoridation as a vehicle for caries prevention, based on the current epidemiological status and its trends of dental caries in preschool children in the area of the Haidian District of Beijing, where the indications exist: Fluoride level in drinking water is low (0.2-0.3 ppm), and water fluoridation and other systemic uses of fluorides are unilkely. From 75.9 to 79.7 % of 3-6-year-old children were identified as having high caries experience (dmft 4.29-4.35). It was found that 60 % of the preschool children who attended kindergarten were 3-6 years old, and 40 % of the 1-2-year-olds were living with their families. There is a local dairy to produce milk for the population living in this district. The amount of fresh milk produced daily is about 50,000-60,000 kg. A special kind of milk with vitamins A and D is als