Silver Diamine Fluoride

Previous Page
Next Page

How to incorporate SDF into practice

Silver Diamine Fluoride Application of Silver Diamine Fluoride How to incorporate SDF into practice

Primary Care Use

Considerations for applying SDF on the day of an existing visit

  • There may be many barriers to healthcare access preventing patients from returning to the clinic
  • There is no delay in care with same-day SDF application
  • This creates less staff work for scheduling return, reminders, etc.
  • Most or all providers in the practice need to offer SDF for this to be practical
  • Will take additional time during visit even with limited patient education and care coordination
    • SDF application itself should take no longer than 5 minutes (after learning curve).

Considerations for scheduling a return visit for SDF application

  • Patients may have barriers to return and be lost to follow up (staff time needed to optimize follow up success)
  • There will be a delay in care
  • An extra appointment allows more time for the patient visit, including patient education and care coordination
  • Reduces the burden of trying to “fit it in” at another visit
  • This model may be more feasible if not all providers in the practice offer SDF

Ways to incorporate SDF application into non-primary care medical settings:

  • In urgent care or emergency department when patient seeks care specifically due to dental complaint
  • In specialty care settings when dental issues are commonly observed, for example:
    • Otolaryngology clinic where oral exams are conducted for other reasons
    • Radiation oncology where post-radiation xerostomia and dental disease are observed
    • In inpatient settings when acute dental services are not available as a bridge to outpatient dental follow up

Ways to incorporate SDF application into community settings where medical providers treat patients

  • School-based health center
  • Nursing home setting
  • Street outreach or mobile medical clinic

Reference:

MDI Colorado. Levels of Integration. http://medicaldentalintegration.org/what-is-this-toolkit/levels-of-integration/

Previous Page
Back to Lesson
Next Page