[Effect of caries prevention using fluorinated mouth washes. Results of a non-randomized field test after 7 years' follow-up]. / Efecto de la prevención de caries mediante enjuagues fluorados. Resultados de un ensayo de campo no randomizado a los 7 años de seguimiento.

A non-random field test has been run for ascertaining the effectiveness of a cavity prevention program among all the public school students in Mataró. The group under study was comprised of 288 elementary school children (5-6 years of age), on whom rinses of 0.2% FNa were used every two weeks, and the control group, comprised of 167 children, students at private schools not participating in the program. Both groups have been monitored for 7 years (up to the 8th grade) and the number of their cavities compared. A 24% reduction in the net Annual Cavity Rate (broken-down according to sex) has been observed. At the end of the study, only 5% of the control group was Cavity free, as compared to 17.3% of those who had used groups used the fluoride rinses. The differences between the two groups remain statistically significant on taking into account the effect of other factors such as the sex of the individuals in question and some personal care habits.

[The health situation in Nicaragua: between a desire to change and aggression]. / La situación sanitaria de nicaragua: entre el deseo de cambio y la agresión.

Before 1979, the health situation in Nicaragua was characterized by a high infant mortality, a high morbidity and mortality related with infectious causes in most cases preventable, as well as by a health care system with multiple non-coordinated institutions, a low coverage and deep social and geographical inequalities in the provision of services. The revolution develops a new regionalized model with an extension of the coverage especially through primary care services, preventive and curative programs targeted at risk groups and health problems, with a large community involvement. The achievements of this new policy are assessed by an increase and a greater equality in the availability and utilization of health resources, by a reduction in morbidity due to transmissible diseases, and by a spectacular decrease in infant mortality. The externally promoted war is having a strong impact on health care and has been slowing down the improvements observed from 1979 to 1983; it violates the principles of the Geneva Convention, it has been condemned by the Tribunal of the Hague, and deserves condemnation from Public Health professionals.