Abstract
With the introduction of the fluoride mouthrinsing program in elementary schools, correspondence and changes in the work of school-nurse teachers were investigated by semi-structured interview. Simultaneously, their freely-given opinions on the fluoride mouthrinsing program were obtained. Many school-nurse teachers could not understand the significance of the introduction of the fluoride mouthrinsing program. Therefore, they were apprehensive that the effective explanation and execution of this program could not be fulfilled. This shows that the level of understanding of this program was not sufficient among the promoters, school staff, and parents of schoolchildren as a whole. Also, some school-nurse teachers considered the work involved in the fluoride mouthrinsing program a burden for them. On the other hand, other school-nurse teachers were very positive concerning the effects of the program, and wanted to perform their part very enthusiastically. Despite the execution of the fluoride mouthrinsing program, there was little evidence that the level of cooperation between school staff and school dentists was improving. It is necessary to carry out further extended investigations. Thereby, we can obtain important information to be utilized in the development of any future fluoride mouthrinsing program.
