[Salt fluoridation and dental caries: state of the question]. / Fluoration du sel et carie dentaire, état de la question.

Objective: Dental caries remains a public health problem, particularly among socially deprived populations. In some developing countries, salt fluoridation programmes have been recently developed, but the use of fluoridated salt is limited worldwide and the level of evidence for its efficacy remains debated. Method: A literature review was conducted to identify epidemiological or clinical studies that have evaluated the effect of salt fluoridation on dental caries experiences in children. Results: After a literature search, 22 references were selected reporting data on the preventive effect of salt fluoridation programmes in Europe (Hungary, Switzerland, France, Germany) and South and Central America (Colombia, Mexico, Jamaica...). Data were mainly obtained from descriptive or retrospective epidemiological studies. The results indicate that, in the absence of topical fluoride support, salt fluoridation leads to a significant reduction in caries indexes among treated children compared to a control group. In a context of widespread use of fluoridated toothpastes, the additional effect achieved by salt fluoridation is limited. The prevalence of fluorosis is not markedly increased with fluoridated salt, but side effects were not always evaluated. Conclusion: Today, a salt fluoridation programme could be useful in areas in which fluoridated toothpastes are not widely used. The communication policy promoting the consumption of fluoridated salt is crucial to ensure the effectiveness of such a programme.

[Evaluation of an oral health promotion program after one year of implementation in a nursery school]. / Evaluation après un an d'un programme de promotion de la santé orale a l'ecole maternelle.

An oral health promotion programme and study are currently being carried out in 9 nursery schools with children at high risk for cavities located in the deprived neighbourhoods of the city of Clermont-Ferrand (France). The programme's objective is to promote the improvement of tooth brushing habits (2 times/day) and general oral hygiene associated with the use of fluoridated toothpastes. Dental care and dental hygiene visits are also encouraged. In 2005-2006 the programme was implemented in 4 schools; another group of 5 schools constituted a control group. After one year, an evaluation of the process, the programme's effectiveness and short-term outcomes was conducted. The majority of the parents, teachers and children participated in the program but their involvement was limited, with active participation being difficult to achieve. The programme was positive in terms of its prevention component and objective. A significant improvement in children's oral hygiene habits was obtained in the programme group as compared to the control group. However, the care and treatment needs of the children in both groups were not covered, given that one child out of four remained with untreated lesions at the end of the year. These results suggest that here are many barriers that prevent children's access to care which need to be addressed.

Acid-catalysed formation of tricyclic N,S-acetals in imidazolinone series based on the use of the unprecedented N-acyliminium ion cascade reaction involving transposition, heterocyclisation and pi-cyclisation.

4-Hydroxy-5,5-dimethylimidazolines tethered at N-1 to an aryl sulfide undergo an unprecedented acid-catalysed domino reaction, involving double methyl transposition, heterocyclisation, isomerisation of thiazetidinium ion and, finally, pi-cyclisation. In this way a one-pot synthesis of original tricyclic N,S-acetals was developed. The same triheterocyclic products can be prepared also starting from the corresponding 5-hydroxy isomers (in this case the cascade of reactions does not involve methyl transposition).