Council on Dental Therapeutics Reports on Topical Application of Fluorides

Council on Dental Therapeutics Reports on Topical Application of Fluorides

R E P O R T S C O U N C I L S AND OF C O M M I T T E E S COUNCIL ON DENTAL THERAPEUTICS REPORTS ON TOPICAL APPLICATION OF FLUORIDES Despite these...

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COUNCIL ON DENTAL THERAPEUTICS REPORTS ON TOPICAL APPLICATION OF FLUORIDES Despite these shortcomings, it appears to offer a way to reduce the incidence of caries sig­ nificantly with relative safety in a highly sus­ ceptible population and is deserving of atten­ tion as a p u b lic. health measure of potential importance. Although the optimum concen­ tration of fluorine is not known, most of the available evidence is associated with multiple application of 2 per cent aqueous sodium flu­ oride solutions preceded by oral prophylaxis.

A t it s annual meeting, held in Chicago on March 7 and 8, 1947, the Coun­ cil on Dental Therapeutics adopted the following statement with regard to topical application of fluorides for pre­ vention of dental caries: T h e evidence is convincing that fluoride solutions properly applied to the teeth are capable of a limited inhibiting effect on tooth decay in children considered collectively. How­ ever, the method is associated with m any un­ known factors, among them being the op­ timum frequency of administration, optimum strength of solution, local conditions fo r m axi­ mum adsorption and the mode of action by which fluorine so applied exerts its influence.

The Council reaffirmed its previously expressed opinion that evidence ade­ quate to justify the administration of fluorides in other oral pharmaceutical dosage forms or by inclusion in denti­ frices or mouthwashes is lacking.

CO UNCIL DISCUSSES PRESENT STATUS OF SULFATHIAZOLE GUM

W h it e ’ s Sulfathiazole Gum, manufac­ tured and distributed by White Lab­ oratories, Inc., Newark, N. J., has been under consideration by the Council on Dental Therapeutics for some time. During this time a report on the product has been withheld because the data avail­ able for evaluating its dental uses were inadequate. Several factors remain to be clarified regarding this product, and it is not accepted by the Council on Dental Therapeutics. Since the product is being actively promoted to the dental profes­ 700

sion, the following report has been authorized by the Council in order that the profession may have the most accu­ rate information available concerning the value and the limitations of sulfathiazole gum. White’s Sulfathiazole Gum is made in tablets which are stated to contain 0.25 gm. (3.75 grains) of U .S.P. sulfathiazole. The gum base is said to conform with standards for ‘'masticatory substances” of the Food and Drug Administration. The therapeutic indications are said to be the