Animal Caries Models: Reaction Paper

Abstract

All caries models, including animal models, must demonstrate validity, which is the ability to assess the caries process as it relates to humans. One aspect in assessing validity is the establishment of fluoride dose response. A review of the literature regarding dose response from topical fluorides in rat caries models has indicated that validity has already been shown for fluoride in dentifrices and for fluoride in food and water. Therefore, investing future time and effort in the rat caries model is justified and warranted. Specific areas to be addressed include: performance of thorough literature searches and data analysis, standardization of the model, synchronization of caries measurements, development of a summary "caries value", determination of a human caries "equivalence factor", and determination of best treatment conditions.