Parents’ Acceptance of Topical Fluoride Varnish in a Primary Care Medical Setting Michelle Ferraioli, D.D.S.; Dana Sirota, M.D., M.P.H.; Christie Lumsden, Ph.D.; Richard Yoon, D.D.S.
ABSTRACT Objective: To examine parental knowledge and accep-
allow the primary care physician (PCP) to apply FV,
tance of topical fluoride varnish (FV) use in a primary
98% (n=44) would not stop brushing their child’s
care medical setting for the prevention of dental car-
teeth if FV was applied; and 91% (n=41) would not
ies among high-risk children.
miss routine dental visits if applied in a primary care
Methods: Fifty English-speaking parents of chil-
medical setting.
dren 6 months to 6 years of age presenting for well-
Conclusion: Despite methodological limitations
child visits in the waiting room of a pediatric and
that limit generalization, including small sample size
adolescent community health center in Washington
and recruitment of only English-speaking parents,
Heights, NY, were asked to participate. Following
results suggest that parents of young children are ac-
an explanation of the benefits of FV and application
cepting of FV application in the primary care medi-
method, a 5-minute, 19-item, close-ended question-
cal setting and would not change homecare habits or
naire assessing demographic characteristics, oral
dental routines if FV is applied. These findings sup-
health knowledge and opinions towards FV in a medi-
port the adoption of FV application in primary care
cal setting was completed.
medical settings as a dental caries primary preven-
Results: Out of 50 parents approached, 45 partici-
tion/early intervention strategy.
pated. Sixty percent (n=27) had never heard of FV and, following an explanation of the application method, 67% (n=30) were unconcerned about the temporary discoloration. Ninety-six percent 96% (n=43) would 12 APRIL 2021 The New York State Dental Journal ●
The prevalence of dental caries in low-income U.S. children under the age of 5 is high (34.7%) compared to children from higherincome families (16.5%).[1,2] Further, significantly higher rates are reported for minority groups, particularly Hispanic children.[1,3,4]
