Experimentation Critique/Dental decay - Foundations of Research--RES320

Dental decay in developed and underdeveloped countries continues to be a public health problem. The World Health Organization (WHO) publishes research on the effectiveness of fluoride and the methods of fluoride application (WHO, 2005). The results of this study show the use of fluoride as a major component in decreasing dental decay.

According to the report, 60% to 90% of school-age children and a large number of adults continue to have dental decay. Dental decay is the most common oral disease in Asia and Latin America (WHO, 2005). The reason for the rise in dental decay appears to be an increase in sugar consumption and lack of fluoride treatment. Developing countries do not have far-reaching fluoridation programs.

The Journal of American Dental Association, as reported by WHO (2005), has reports stating the use of fluoride is a crucial instrument in reducing dental decay. Fluoride achieves this by repairing early damage done to tooth enamel by acid created by the breakdown of sugar, by making the tooth enamel more resistant to the acid, and by decreasing the capability of the plaque bacteria to produce the acid.

English: Putting toothpaste on a toothbrush. The t...

US-fluoridation-1992-2006

U.S. residents served with community water fluorid...

Many developing countries are without access to professional dental care. Because of this, the research and review did not consider professionally applied fluoride to be relevant.

The review focuses on water fluoridation, salt fluoridation, milk fluoridation, and development of affordable fluoride toothpaste (WHO, 2005). The research concentrates on historical development, fluoride effectiveness, uses in modern day practices, and four case studies. Included will be comments on the reliability and validity of these studies.

Fluoride research on oral health began approximately 100 years ago. The first 50 years of research had a focal point of water fluoridation by natural means and adjusted means. The center of attention in the second half of the 20th century is...