Dietary fluoride supplementation and fluoride varnish improve caries outcomes in kids: USPSTF
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) routinely makes recommendations about the effectiveness of preventive care services and this statement is consistent with its 2014 recommendation.
The final recommendations of the task force are based on 32 studies with 106,694 individuals participating. Further the recommendations are consistent with the 2014 recommendations and a draft statement published earlier this year in this same clinical area.
The task force added details to the final recommendation regarding timing and dosage information in response to feedback received during this year's public comment period.
No studies "specifically addressed the dosage and timing of oral fluoride supplementation in children with inadequate water fluoridation," the USPSTF wrote. Although there were also no studies that "directly assessed the appropriate ages at which to start and stop the application of fluoride varnish," the evidence suggested applying the fluoride varnish every 6 months appeared to be sufficient, according to the USPSTF In addition, "all children with erupted teeth can potentially benefit from the periodic application of fluoride varnish, regardless of the levels of fluoride in their water," the USPSTF wrote. The final USPSTF recommendations also include, for the first time, a CDC tool that can help primary care clinicians ascertain the amount of fluoride in a water system.
It was concluded there was no direct evidence on benefits and harms of primary care oral health screening or referral to dentist. Dietary fluoride supplementation and fluoride varnish were associated with improved caries outcomes in higher-risk children and settings.
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