One topical fluoride (varnishes, or gels, or rinses, or toothpastes) versus another for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents

This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (Intervention). The objectives are as follows: The primary objective of this systematic review is to assess the evidence on the comparative effect of topical fluoride therapy (TFT) in the form of toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels and varnishes in the prevention of dental caries in children and adolescents. With regard to the clinical effectiveness of topical fluoride therapy (TFT) in the forms described above three basic questions can be asked: 1‐ Is TFT effective for children and adolescents? 2‐ Is one of these forms of TFT more effective than another? 3‐ Are combinations of these TFT forms more effective than one form used alone? This review attempts to answer the second question and the other two questions are addressed in separate reviews. The specific objectives are: 1 ‐ To determine whether there is a differential effect between professionally‐applied topical fluoride varnishes and gels. 2 ‐ To determine whether there is a differential effect between fluoride rinses and professionally‐applied TFT (varnishes or gels). 3 ‐ To determine whether there is a differential effect between fluoride toothpastes and any other modality of TFT (rinses, gels or varnishes).