Fluoride Varnish ApplicationChristine Veschusio

March 2005

More Smiling Faces in an Oral Health Initiative funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and managed by the Center for Health Care Strategies

Why do we recommend fluoride varnish for very young children? To prevent dental caries and in some cases reverse

early dental caries Children with early childhood decay are more likely

to get more decay Baby teeth are in a child’s mouth until about age 11

or 12 Goes beyond pain and infection

Affects their speech Affects their ability to eat Affects their ability to learn Affects the way they feel about themselves

Who should receive fluoride varnish? Children are at high risk

for developing dental caries.

Risk is determined by using the Caries Risk Assessment developed by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentists

Risk factors for dental caries are: One or more of the following risk factors place a

child at risk for dental caries: History of dental decay in mother, child and/or other

family members High sugar/complex carbohydrate diet (for example,

bottle with formula, juice or sweetened liquid at night and/or all day long).

Visible plaque, white spots and/or decay Low socioeconomic status Special health care needs Premature/Low birth weight Medications: sugar-based or that dry mouth

Fluoride Varnish Safe Effective Doesn’t take a lot of time

How does fluoride varnish work? The lacquer-based product adheres to the

dental enamel forming a depot from which fluoride is slowly released

A dry tooth surface allows the uptake of the fluoride into the tooth surface

Saliva actually sets the varnish

How does fluoride help remineralization? Changes the reminerlization process Acts as a catalyst May stop or reverse progression of carious

lesion Can make enamel more resistant to acid

Fluoride varnish products Fluoride varnish is available from 3 different

manufacturers. It consists of 5% NaF. Duraflor (Pharmascience) Duraphat (Colgate) Cavity Shield (Omnii)

Each medical provider contracted with the MSF project will be supplied with this product at no cost.

Preschool fluoride varnish study 225 3-year-olds Semiannual application of fluoride varnish 44% caries reduction after two years

Advantages of fluoride varnish easy to apply teeth do not need professional prophylaxis children can eat and drink following

applications potential ingestion of fluoride is low prevents caries

Frequency of Applications 2 TO 4 applications per year

Dental Health Screening and Fluoride Varnish Application University of Minnesota by Dr. Amos

Deinard Click link below:

http://meded1.ahc.umn.edu/fluoridevarnish/ Click review of the “Fluoride Varnish

Application Procedure” Then click “view video” The Video is for the North Carolina project “Out

of the Mouths of Babes.”

Fluoride application video Dr. Michael Kanellis

White Spots

Knee to Knee Position

Fluoride Varnish Application

Clean and Dry Teeth

Apply Varnish with small brush

Fluoride Varnish Application

Apply varnish to

Anterior teeth

Posterior teeth

Fluoride Varnish Application The varnish hardens

quickly after application as a yellow film

The child can have a drink of water

Post application instructions for parents Varnish will set on contact with

saliva. Child can eat or drink right after

application Do not brush your child’s teeth

tonight. Start brushing them tomorrow morning

Three Months Later

Remineralized EnamelMy Videos\fluoride varnish.ram

Establish the dental home American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry

recommends age one or within 6 months of eruption of the first tooth.

AcknowledgementThis power point was adapted from the work of Dr. Michael Kanellis, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, University of Iowa.