11 - Prevalence of Fluoride Varnish Application in the Medical Setting

Abstract: Dental caries is prevalent in children and fluoride varnish (FV) applications are an effective preventive strategy. FV in medical settings offers an opportunity for caries prevention, but few studies have assessed its use in medical settings.

Objective: To assess the cross-sectional and 18-month cumulative prevalence of FV application in medical settings using a convenience sample of subjects from 3 sites.

Methods: After IRB approval, 1,326 primary caregiver/child pairs were enrolled at child age 12 months in 2012-2013 for a study developing a caries risk assessment tool. Children received dental examinations and caregivers completed self-administered questionnaires at baseline, and at 30, 48, 78, 96, and 114 months of age that asked about medical FV application. Every four months, intermediate questionnaires asked about medical FV application. Cumulative prevalence for four 18-month periods were calculated, and percentages of all responses from age 12-30 months with medical FV were calculated.

Results: The majority of children aged 2.5 years were male (51.1%), white (50.8%), non-Hispanic (87.2%), and Medicaid-insured (54.1%). Cumulative prevalence of 1+ FV applications was 20.4% for age 12-30 months, 12.9% for 30-48 months, 6.4% for 78-96 months, and 1.9% for 96 to 114 months. The distribution of the percentage of responses with medical FV application from 12-30 months was: 79.6% had no FV (0%), 6.4% had 20-33% of responses with medical FV, 9.1% had 40-67% with medical FV, and 4.9% had 75-100% of responses with medical FV.

Conclusion: Prevalence of FV application in the medical setting is low and decreases as children age.

Source of Funding: National Institutes of Health- NIDCR- DE021412 and NIH CTSA grants: TR002553 (Duke University), TR000006 (Indiana University), TR001356 (University of Iowa), and TR000433 (University of Michigan)