Dental treatments with fluoride are among the most effective and efficient techniques for preventing tooth decay in children. However, despite their proven effectiveness, and despite the fact that such treatments are usually covered by insurance, very few children receive them. A survey of dentists revealed that nearly 80% of them believed that refusing fluoride was a problem. In one study, it was found that up to 51.5% of parents refused topical fluoride treatments for their children.
The most common reason for this refusal is the belief that fluoride is not safe. This belief is often spread and amplified through social media, the media, and the Internet. Other factors may include religious beliefs, a desire for autonomy, and concerns about the true intent of fluoride treatments. Fluoride treatment should be repeated at least three or four times a year for it to be effective.
For example, using excessive amounts of toothpaste or using fluoride tablets when your water supply is fluoridated. According to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Network Open, very few young children with private insurance receive the recommended dental fluoride treatments during health and wellness visits. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has stated that there is no published evidence to indicate that professionally applied fluoride varnish is a risk factor for dental fluorosis, even in children under the age of six.In general, these treatments usually end around age 14, but some people continue to receive them into adulthood. Preventive dental care is important at any age, and it is recommended that you regularly administer fluoride treatments to your pediatric patients.
Developing a clinical workflow that includes the application of fluoride can greatly improve the oral health of children in your office.
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