News Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: May 20, 2008
For more information, contact Jeff Gamber, United Methodist Health Ministry Fund,
800-369-7191

Fluoride Varnish Mini-Summit aims to expand simple, effective cavity-prevention treatment

Hutchinson, KS—Over 60 participants recently attended a mini-summit to learn more about prevention of dental caries (cavities) through the use of fluoride varnish. Fluoride varnish is a thin coating applied to teeth which gradually delivers fluoride into tooth surfaces over time to strengthen the enamel and help prevent cavities from occurring.

The Fluoride Varnish Mini-Summit, held May 16th in Topeka, brought together oral health and medical professionals, early child care leaders, insurers, community leaders, governmental leaders, and other oral health advocates to learn more about progress toward increasing the use of fluoride varnish treatment in Kansas. The group discussed opportunities to expand fluoride varnish application in not only dental offices, but also through medical practices, social service sites, and other settings.

A panel of Kansas oral health professionals including Dr. Paul Kittle, Leavenworth pediatric dentist; Kathy Weno DDS, Director, KDHE Office of Oral Health; and Maggie Smet RDH, KDHE Office of Oral Health, began the day by providing background and an overview of fluoride varnish treatment progress to date. Tracy Garland, former president of the Washington Dental Services Foundation and a leader in developing new fluoride varnish delivery systems in Washington state, presented information about successful efforts to expand utilization of this proven oral health measure. Participants worked in small groups to assess utilization in Kansas and determine possible next steps to reach Kansans with fluoride varnish treatment in multiple settings.

Fluoride varnish treatment has proven effective in preventing cavities in permanent teeth, and has more recently been shown to prevent or reduce the formation of cavities in the primary teeth of young children. Application of fluoride varnish takes only minutes and may be applied in Kansas by dentists, hygienists, physicians, physician assistants, ARNPs and RNs. Because the treatment hardens on teeth upon contact with saliva, swallowing is minimized and fluoride varnish may safely be used with very young children.

Fluoride varnish offers several advantages which help make it more accessible compared to other treatments. No special equipment is needed for application, a regular toothbrushing is all that is needed before application, and there is no waiting period for eating and drinking after treatment.
The Fluoride Varnish Mini-Summit was co-sponsored by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment Office of Oral Health; Oral Health Kansas; Kansas Dental Association; Kansas Academy of Family Physicians; Kansas Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics; Kansas Dental Hygienist Association; and the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund.

Summaries of presentations from the Mini-Summit are available at www.healthfund.org.

Based in Hutchinson, the mission of the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund is “Healthy Kansans through cooperative and strategic philanthropy guided by Christian principles.” Its funding comes from an endowment established in 1986 by the Kansas West Conference of the United Methodist Church from a portion of the proceeds from the sale of Wesley Hospital in Wichita. Since the Health Fund’s founding, grants totaling more than $47 million have supported hundreds of health-related projects in Kansas.

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