Fluoride Varnish Benefits: Safe, inexpensive, and effective Studies demonstrate 30-35% caries reduction Quickly and easily applied Children can eat and drink shortly after application Strengthens enamel and can stabilize and prevent progression of early caries (white spots) and slow enamel destruction in active ECC Not associated with treatment-related adverse events in young children Medicaid and many […]
Register for Courses Login Click Here to take the Pre-test This course focuses on caries prevention offering a brief review of Early Childhood Caries (ECC) and addressing how the use of fluoride is part of a comprehensive approach to child oral health. Participants will learn the benefits, appropriate safety precautions, and dosing for fluoride, as
Caries Risk Assessment, Fluoride Varnish, and Counseling Read More »
A variety of 0.25 ml 5% NaF unidose fluoride varnish preparations are commercially available in the United States. Pricing information is based on average costs when purchased through distributors and is subject to variation and may be less when purchased in bulk. Each product and applicator system has its own unique advantages and disadvantages, and
Varnish Selection Read More »
Summary of Fluoride Modalities for Low- and High-Risk Patients Fluoride Modality Low Caries Risk High Caries Risk ToothpasteStarting at tooth emergenceStarting at tooth emergenceFluoride varnishEvery 3-6 months starting at tooth emergenceEvery 3-6 months starting at tooth emergenceOver-the-counter mouth rinseNot applicableStarting at age 6 if the child can reliably swish and spitCommunity water fluoridationYesYesDietary fluoride supplementsYes,
Fluoride Use Recommendations Read More »
There is strong evidence supporting many preventive interventions that can be implemented as part of primary medical care. Recommendations for Children Birth Through Age 5 (United States Preventive Services Task Force 1996, 2014) Fluoridated Toothpaste (I, A) Fluoride Varnish (B) Fluoride Supplements (B) General Population (USPSTF 1989, 1996) Fluoridated toothpaste (I, A) High Risk Populations
Evidence of Benefit of Fluoride Read More »
The use of fluoride, both through dietary and topical applications, has led to dramatic drops in caries rates. How Does Fluoride Help Prevent Dental Caries? Through topical mechanisms, the main effect, fluoride works by: Inhibiting tooth demineralization Enhancing remineralization Inhibiting bacterial metabolism Through systemic mechanisms, the lesser effect, fluoride works by: Reducing enamel solubility through incorporation into its structure
Effects and Sources of Fluoride Read More »
Learning Objectives Targeted in this Chapter: Discuss the effects, sources, and benefits of fluoride. Demonstrate the application of fluoride varnish. Describe strategies for an effective office-based fluoride varnish program. Describe the benefits and indications for fluoride varnish. Raoul Vernede/Photos.com Apply Your Knowledge The cases in this course are an opportunity to apply concepts that have
Use of fluoride, both through dietary and topical applications, has led to dramatic drops in caries rates. How Does Fluoride Help Prevent Dental Caries? Through topical mechanisms, the main effect, fluoride works by: Inhibiting tooth demineralization Enhancing remineralization Inhibiting bacterial metabolism Through systemic mechanisms, the lesser effect, fluoride works by: Reducing enamel solubility through incorporation into its structure during
Effects and Sources of Fluoride Read More »
White spots and lines are demineralized areas of enamel and represent the first clinical signs of caries. Appearance & Symptoms Caries typically affects the teeth that emerge first and are least protected by saliva, e.g., the upper incisors. White spots/white lines typically begin at the gingival margin. If the disease process is not managed, the lesions
White Spots: The Early Stage of ECC Read More »
Teach Curriculum Smiles for Life has developed materials to help educators implement the curriculum into an academic setting. The Front Line Health Worker curriculum is a set of 4 presentations and an educator handbook that is designed to meet the training needs community health workers, promotores, health educators, and related workforce. The Global Oral Health