Design of a Multicomponent Intervention to Reduce the Risk of Exposure Fluorine

Summary

Introduction Systemic exposure to fluoride is a significant challenge for global public health; this is because although fluoride prevents dental caries, prolonged exposure to high concentrations can cause adverse effects on various organs and systems, especially the teeth. Despite the existence of preventive strategies to reduce this exposure, evidence on the effectiveness of multicomponent interventions is limited. This protocol describes the design of a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effects of a multicomponent intervention on parents and children to reduce the risk of exposure to high concentrations of fluoride in children.

Methods This is a randomized controlled trial, and kindergartens in the municipalities of the Department of Huila, Colombia, will be recruited. The intervention group will receive a comprehensive five-component program: installation of water filters to reduce fluoride consumption; educational sessions for parents and children to raise awareness and promote healthy practices; outreach activities to strengthen collective knowledge; and a maintenance phase to ensure the program's sustainability. In contrast, the control group will participate in a conventional educational strategy focused on the parent-child dyad. Measurements will be taken at four points in time: pre-intervention for baseline and post-intervention at 3, 6, and 12 months. The evaluation of results includes the concentration of fluoride in children's urine, fluoride levels in water (to validate the effectiveness of filtration), and changes in parents' knowledge, attitudes, and practices.

Discussion The trial will evaluate the effectiveness of a multicomponent intervention aimed at parents and children to reduce the risk of fluoride exposure. Through integrative methodological approaches and objective measurements, it will demonstrate significant improvements in reducing fluoride exposure in children and in parents' knowledge, attitudes, and practices. It will contribute to child health programs, strengthen preventive oral health strategies with an impact on public policy, community health, and new lines of research on fluoride.

Conditions

• Fluorosis, Dental
• Fluorosis

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

multicomponent intervention

1. Installation of physical barriers: a reverse osmosis water filter. 2. Educational sessions for parents: three thematic modules. 3. Educational sessions for children: one thematic modules. 4. Outreach activities: To ensure the sustainability of the intervention. 5. Maintenance phase: The population will have free access to educational resources through the "Camaleón Sonriente cuida tus dientes" (Smiling Chameleon Takes Care of Your Teeth)

BEHAVIORAL

Conventional intervention

The intervention will include training on the cariogenic diet, flossing, and hand washing.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Universidad Antonio Nariño

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

TRIPLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

2 Years

Max Age

5 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-05-02

Primary Completion

2026-05-30

Completion

2027-08-29

Countries

• Colombia

Study Locations