From a practical standpoint, preventive dentistry is much more economical than restorative dentistry, both in the expenditure of manpower and in the preservation of health;any measure that will reduce the incidence of caries among a population has a definite place in a preventive dentistry program.nA preventive measure, for optimum effect, must (a) require a minimum amount of manpower to insure maximum accomplishment;(b) be relatively inexpensive;and, (c) incorporate procedures that are easily accomplished, that are effective in duration, and that do not impose an obligation on the patient to insure its continued effectiveness.nTroches, mouthwashes, and pastes containing sodium fluoride have been tried with no success.nThe topical application of a 2 percent solution of sodium fluoride to the permanent teeth of children has also resulted in a caries decrease of approximately 40 percent.
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