A literature review was conducted on the effectiveness of measures to prevent dental caries. Articles published in scientific journals from 1980 to 1998 and indexed in MEDLINE were selected. Some 210 articles were found and their abstracts classified according to intervention strategies, type of research design, and observed effects. The most frequent preventive measures were the use of fluoride toothpaste (20.5%), fluoride mouthwash (17.2%), and occlusal sealants (18,1%). The main target population was schoolchildren 6-12 years old (53.8%) and teenagers (15.7%). Western Europe produced 58.7% of the articles on this subject, followed by United States (22.7%), Eastern Europe, Asia, Canada, and Latin America. No relationship was identified between program results (effective as opposed to ineffective studies) and the type of preventive practice and research design, indicating that other issues need to be investigated, such as the context of organizational implementation (where, how, and by whom prevention is implemented). Education in oral hygiene as a basic tool and key component in specific preventive action has received little research attention.