U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

Oral Health: School Fluoride Varnish Delivery Programs

About this resource:

Systematic Review

Source: The Guide to Community Preventive Services

Last Reviewed: November 2024

Workgroups: Oral Health Workgroup

The Community Preventive Services Task Force (CPSTF) recommends school fluoride varnish delivery programs to prevent dental caries (tooth decay) among school-aged children (preschool through high school). Evidence shows that these programs, which are implemented primarily in communities with lower incomes and high rates of tooth decay among children, can:

  • Achieve meaningful rates of student participation
  • Increase the number of treatments received
  • Reduce dental caries
  • Reduce disparities in onset of tooth decay by income and other social determinants of health
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Objectives related to this resource (2)

Reduce the proportion of children and adolescents with active and untreated tooth decay — OH‑02
Improving
Reduce the proportion of children and adolescents with lifetime tooth decay — OH‑01
Little or no detectable change

Suggested Citation

1.

Guide to Community Preventive Services. (2024). Oral Health: School Fluoride Varnish Delivery Programs. Retrieved from https://www.thecommunityguide.org/findings/oral-health-school-fluoride-varnish-delivery-programs.html.