Primary outcome
carious lesions, cavitated, caries
ARREST, ARRESTED, CARIES
The primary outcome was the arrest status of carious lesions after six months. Three examiners (EBA, MQ, and RY) were trained on assessing caries in two levels; The first level was based on caries experience presence (dmfs) following the WHO criteria. The second level was based on caries stage using the ICDAS criteria [The oral examinations were conducted in the nurseries under natural daylight where children were seated in front of a window. No magnification or radiographs were used, and potential lesions were cleaned and dried by a piece of cotton before examination. Assessing lesion activity was done by visual inspection and tactile detection using a 0.5 mm ball-ended Community Periodontal Index (CPI) periodontal probe and a disposable dental mirror. Lesions were assessed at baseline and after 6 months. At baseline, lesions with ICDAS code 3 were recorded as active if the surface was whitish/ yellowish opaque with loss of luster; or felt rough when the tip of the probe was moved. All lesions with ICDAS code 4 were recorded as active. After 6 months, lesions coded as ICDAS 3 or 4 were classified as arrested if there was no progress to cavitation and the lesions did not become ICDAS 5 or 6 [Lesions that were cavitated at baseline with ICDAS codes 5 or 6 were recorded as active if softness was detected upon gentle probing [