An investigation of the transverse technique of dentifrice application to reduce the amount of fluoride dentifrice for young children.

PURPOSE Recent studies have shown an increase in the prevalence of fluorosis. Consequently, recommendations for the use of a small quantity of fluoride dentifrice, 0.25 to 0.5 g or the equivalent of a "pea size" amount for children, have been made. This study evaluated a method of placing dentifrice in a transverse relation to the bristles (TT) and compares it to the standard technique used (ST) and to the "pea size" recommendation (PS). METHODS The study was conducted in three phases: the first was in a laboratory setting using 22 commercial brands of children's toothbrushes; the second evaluated various recommendations with 240 mothers (Brazilian and Peruvian); and the third evaluated these recommendations in 135 Peruvian children (ages 4 to 6). RESULTS The results showed that the mean quantity of dentifrice used with ST, PS, and TT was 0.58 g, 0.34 g, and 0.27 g for the mothers and 0.46 g, 0.29 g, and 0.24 g for the children, respectively. The average TT obtained through multiple weighing of 22 children's toothbrushes was 0.22 g. Both recommendations (PS and TT) reduced the amount of dentifrice used. However, TT also yielded a smaller variation range. Mothers and children learn easily and prefer TT. CONCLUSION This technique could be recommended for young children in order to decrease the amount of fluoride dentifrice used, hence minimizing the potential inadvertent ingestion of fluoride dentifrice.