Preschool children's taste acceptance of highly concentrated fluoride compounds: effects on nonverbal behavior.

Objective: The aim of this video-based study was to examine the taste acceptance of children between the ages of 2 and 5 years regarding highly concentrated fluoride preparations in kindergarten-based preventive programs. Study design: The fluoride preparation Duraphat was applied to 16 children, Elmex fluid to 15 children, and Fluoridin N5 to 14 children. The procedure was conducted according to a standardized protocol and videotaped. Three raters evaluated the children's nonverbal behavior as a measure of taste acceptance on the Frankl Behavior Rating Scale. The interrater reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient; ICC) was .86. In an interview, children indicated the taste of the fluoride preparations on a three-point “smiley” rating scale. The interviewer used a hand puppet during the survey to establish confidence between the children and examiners. Results: Children's nonverbal behavior was significantly more positive after Fluoridin N5 and Duraphat were applied compared to the application of ...