Casein phosphopeptide (CPP) has the potential to be added to mouth rinses, gels, toothpastes, chewing gums and confectioneries. Until now CPP has been studied in vitro, in situ and in animals, but clinical trials are lacking. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of CPP-containing toothpaste in preventing dental caries in schoolchildren. The study was conducted among 150 schoolchildren randomly divided into three groups, each using one of three types of toothpastes: (a) containing 2% w/w CPP; (b) containing 1,190 mg/kg fluoride as 0.76% sodium monofluorophosphate (SMFP); (c) placebo toothpaste without CPP or fluoride. Students brushed with the given toothpastes for 24 months. Oral hygiene and caries experience were assessed at baseline, 12 and 24 months. The increments in caries lesions were calculated and analyzed to assess the caries-preventive effect. A significant reduction in caries increment was observed among students using CPP toothpaste or SMFP toothpaste, compared with the group using the placebo toothpaste. The reduction in caries increment was not significantly different between the CPP and SMFP groups. Oral Hygiene Index score increased from the 12-month to the 24-month examination. It is concluded that CPP can be effectively incorporated into calcium carbonate-based toothpaste and that toothpaste containing CPP is effective in preventing caries. Toothpaste containing 2% CPP seemed to have an efficacy similar to paste containing 1,190 mg/kg SMFP in the prevention of caries.

Background: To determine the perception of oral health status and its associated factors among adults living in rural areas in Karnataka state, India. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among adults in the age group of 35–54 years old residing in villages in a southern state in India. The main outcome measure was poor self-rated oral health (SROH) among adults in rural India. Results: About 873 adults participated in the study. The prevalence of poor SROH was 15.2%. Adults of age 40–44 years, females, those in lower socioeconomic conditions, and those with high caries experience (DMFT ≥ 4) and periodontal disease were associated with poor SROH. Those who had visited a dentist in the previous one year were 1.9 times more likely to report poor oral health. Conclusions: Nearly 15% of rural people reported poor oral health. Socioeconomic conditions, sex, age, smoking, and dental visiting were associated with poor SROH. People’s perception of poor oral health was associated with severe periodontitis and DMFT ≥ 4. A dose–response relationship was observed between experience with dental caries and poor SROH.