Field Trial on Caries Prevention with Xylitol Candies among Disabled School Students

Background: In a 1999 survey high caries levels were found among physically disabled school students in Kuwait. Objectives: A field study was planned to test the efficacy of xylitol candies in preventing caries among individuals in two special schools in Kuwait. Methods: Altogether 176 students were examined in 2002 and 145 (105 in xylitol group and 40 in the control group) after 18 months’ intervention. The WHO criteria were used in recording caries according to surfaces (third molars were excluded) by 2 calibrated examiners (E.H., M.S.). The students were allocated to the xylitol group only if the parent/caregiver returned the informed consent form. School health nurses distributed xylitol candies to the students 3 times during the school day (after breakfast and lunch, and before leaving the school). Results: In the xylitol group, the baseline DS and DMFS scores were 3.4 and 8.2 and in the follow-up 1.9 and 7.1, respectively. In the control group, the baseline scores were DS 3.9 and DMFS 9.8, and the follow-up scores DS 3.9 and DMFS 13.2. Conclusion: Xylitol seemed to have a strong preventive and a clear remineralizing effect on caries.