Vollmer, William M.Papas, Athena S.Bader, James D.Maupomé, GerardoGullion, Christina M.Hollis, Jack F.Snyder, John J.Fellows, Jeffrey L. FellowsLaws, Reesa L.White, B. AlexanderPACS Collaborative Research Group2020-05-212020-05-212010-10-05Vollmer, W.M., Papas, A.S., Bader, J.D. et al. Design of the Prevention of Adult Caries Study (PACS): A randomized clinical trial assessing the effect of a chlorhexidine dental coating for the prevention of adult caries. BMC Oral Health 10, 23 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6831-10-23https://hdl.handle.net/1805/22838Background Dental caries is one of the primary causes of tooth loss among adults. It is estimated to affect a majority of Americans aged 55 and older, with a disproportionately higher burden in disadvantaged populations. Although a number of treatments are currently in use for caries prevention in adults, evidence for their efficacy and effectiveness is limited. Methods/Design The Prevention of Adult Caries Study (PACS) is a multicenter, placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized clinical trial of the efficacy of a chlorhexidine (10% w/v) dental coating in preventing adult caries. Participants (n = 983) were recruited from four different dental delivery systems serving four diverse communities, including one American Indian population, and were randomized to receive either chlorhexidine or a placebo treatment. The primary outcome is the net caries increment (including non-cavitated lesions) from baseline to 13 months of follow-up. A cost-effectiveness analysis also will be considered. Discussion This new dental treatment, if efficacious and approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), would become a new in-office, anti-microbial agent for the prevention of adult caries in the United States.en-USAttribution 4.0 InternationalDental CariesChlorhexidineClinical CenterCaries PreventionCavitated LesionArticle