Health professionals’ recommendations on the use of fluoride varnish for caries prevention in preschool children

Abstract

BackgroundFluoride varnish (FV) is widely recommended for caries prevention in preschool children, despite its anticaries benefits being uncertain and modest. Dentists often report using clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) as a source of scientific information.AimTo identify and analyze recommendations for clinical practice on the use of FV for caries prevention in preschool children and to assess the methodological quality of the CPG on this topic.DesignTwo researchers independently used 12 search strategies and searched the first five pages of Google Search™ and three guideline databases for recommendations freely available to health professionals on the use of FV for caries prevention in preschoolers. Then, they retrieved and recorded recommendations that met the eligibility criteria and extracted the data. A third researcher resolved disagreements. Each included CPG was appraised using the AGREE II instrument.ResultsTwenty‐nine documents were included. Recommendations varied according to age, patients' caries risk, and application frequency. Of the six CPGs, only one scored above 70% in the AGREE II overall assessment.ConclusionRecommendations on the use of FV lacked scientific evidence, and CPGs were of poor quality. Application of FV is widely recommended despite recent evidence showing an uncertain, modest, and possibly not clinically relevant anticaries benefit. Dentists should be aware that it is necessary to critically appraise CPGs since they may be of poor quality.

Nutritional Factors Associated with Dental Caries across the Lifespan: A Review

“…Shiitake mushrooms, which contain lentinan, an antibacterial compound, help combat plaque-building bacteria. Crunchy vegetables are particularly beneficial as they stimulate saliva production, and dairy products have been linked to a reduced risk of caries, especially in the elderly [11,84]. Water, especially fluoridated water, is emphasized as the optimal choice for dental health, aiding in maintaining oral cleanliness and combating dry mouth.…”

“…Furthermore, it is imperative to recognize that a suboptimal dietary plan stands as a major contributor to tooth loss in adults [11,84]. This underscores the profound impact of dietary choices on oral health outcomes, emphasizing the importance of a well-balanced and nutritionally sound diet for overall dental well-being.…”