Prevention strategies utilized to reduce dental caries and other oral health complications:

• Fluoride Varnish is an Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved lacquer gel containing 5% sodium fluoride in a resin base. When applied topically, by a qualified health professional, it provides a highly concentrated temporary dose of fluoride to the tooth surface. It can be painted on the tooth surfaces in just minutes which makes easy use outside of the dental office. Fluorides act to strengthen tooth enamel through a process called re-mineralization, and has been found to be effective in reducing decay on both primary and permanent teeth by up to 25%.¹ Repeated fluoride treatment is needed and should be applied at two to three times per year.
• Preventive Sealants are protective coatings that are bonded to the biting surfaces of posterior teeth in a process that takes only minutes to apply. These teeth have many grooves and pits where food and bacteria can stick and where most of childhood decay forms. Sealants are smooth and do not interfere with biting, but they do prevent the bacteria and food from sticking to these vulnerable parts of the tooth. Sealants can be placed on primary or permanent teeth. Sealants may also release fluoride which reinforces the enamel. They are designed to wear off after 4-6 years and are replaced during the teenage years. Studies have shown that properly placed sealants use can reduce decay by up to 60%.²

1. Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors. Fluoride Varnish: an Evidence-Based Approach Research brief; September 2007. Available at: http://www.astdd.org/docs/Sept2007FINALFlvarnishpa....

2. P rogram Strategic Plan 2011-2014; March 2011. Available at:http://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/pdfs/oral_health_strategic_plan.pdf.

The Office of Oral Health and Dentistry's target populations for the above prevention strategies:

• 0-5 Age Children are our first target group for prevention activities. The local health departments will often collaborate with teachers and staff at Early Head Start, Head Start, WIC clinics, preschools and daycare centers to offer dental services. Dentists and authorized public health hygienists can also obtain parental consent to provide dental topical fluoride varnish applications in Nebraska.
• 6-18 Age Youth are our second target group for prevention activities and these services can often be based at the elementary, middle and high school levels. Making oral health services available at schools enables students to access care in a safe and familiar environment. The local health departments can establish relationships through the school health nurses and parental consent forms to regularly provide and expand preventive services. Dental screenings are now mandated annually in Nebraska for grades Pre K-4, 7 and 10. Every 3 years an aggregated report is produced by the State which can be used to help track dental disease and to inform community leaders, school board members and policy makers about the impact of this condition on Nebraska schools. Oral health information should become a part of the overall student primary health education curriculum. Topical fluoride applications also continue to be beneficial during this time, as do sealants.
• 65+ Older Adults are our third target group for prevention efforts. Goals are to increase daily oral hygiene and annual preventive dental cleanings for residents of assisted living and long term care facilities in Nebraska.