Fluoridated dentifrice as a source of fluoride intake for children in Belarus
The study uses a questionnaire to examine 1) choice and actual use attitudes of 654 families with respect to children dentifrice, 2) the use of fluoride dentifrice by 96 1.5-6 y.o. children who attend a day-care institution. Fluoride dentifrice is preferred by 82% of families, with children fluoride dentifrice used by 38% of families, a «pea-size» dose used by 48% of families, the application of dentifrice is controlled by just 57% of parents. The amount of dentifrice not spit out is 57.21±1.39%, for 3 year olds - 41.65±4.97%, for 4 year olds - 26.1±3.58%, at the age of five - 11.12±1.69%, and for 6 year olds it is 5.76±0.21%. The amount of dentifrice swallowed by children of three, four, five and six is, correspondingly, 165.3±9,4 mkgF, 90.1±14.2 mkgF, 63.4±4.1mkgF, 36.1±5.2 mkgF, 10.3±0.7 mgkF. It is concluded that there is no risk of fluoride overdose with the optimal use of children fluoride dentifrice, even when combined with fluoride salt use. However, most of parents experience an acute need in learning the rules and developing motivation to follow them.