Final results of a dental caries clinical trial using heat killed lactic bacteria (Streptococci and Lactobacilli) orally.

The results of a dental caries clinical trial in 245 seven-year-old children are reported. Chewable tablets of two different types were prepared: A) Containing pyridoxine (Vit. B6) and heat-killed lactic bacteria. B) Placebo tablets with pyridoxine only. They were randomly given once a week for 16 weeks to experimental and control groups respectively. Four evaluation surveys were conducted during 24 months of follow up, using the "Decay, Missing, Filled, Surfaces" index (DMFS) for the clinical evaluation of the permanent teeth. A consistent reduction in the incidence of dental caries in the experimental group was observed in all 4 surveys. After 2 years of follow up a 42% reduction in the incidence rate of dental caries was observed in the experimental group compared to the control group. Summary tables and discussion of the clinical evaluation surveys are given. The potential use of these clinical findings as support for a future dental caries vaccine evaluation project is proposed.