Abstract: Objective To evaluate the effect of fluoride varnish Duraphat in preventing caries of primary teeth on 3-year-old children population in Shanghai by using fluoride varnish Duraphat and implementing oral health methods in the kindergarten. Methods 1905 children whose ages were 3 year-old were randomly chosen from kindergartens in 3 districts of Shanghai, and were randomly divided into 3 groups followed up for 2 years. The first group was varnished by 2.26% fluoride two times a year. The second group was varnished by 2.26% fluoride once a year, and the third group was blank group. Protective measures were applied for all the children. All the data were collected and the clinical effects of 3 groups were compared by using Software Package of SPSS 17.0. Results The caries incidence and average caries index of 2.26% fluoride varnish groups were lower than those of control group with the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion 2.26% fluoride varnish Duraphat is effective in preventing caries of primary teeth in children.

Key words: fluoride varnish, Duraphat, children, prevention, caries