Implementing Fluoride Varnish Application into Primary Care Clinical Practice.

INTRODUCTION

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has recommended starting fluoride varnish applications to childen as early as 6 months of age, positioning pediatric primary care providers as a source of preventive care for dental caries, which impact more than half of children under age 5 years of age.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review of patients in our pediatric primary care clinic was undertaken to determine the impact of fluoride varnish applications on dental caries in children aged <5 years of age.

RESULTS

Since November 2021, there have been 1,916 fluoride applications in the clinic. Of those children who received at least one fluoride application, 96.8% did not go on to have dental caries, whereas 100% with ≥ 3 applications did not develop cavities.

DISCUSSION: Implementing new primary care practice habits can be very difficult. While no statistical decrease in dental caries has been observed since implementing fluoride varnish, we observed a dose-dependent relationship between fluoride varnish and dental caries.