Caries Prevention Flashcards
Outline the main principles of enhanced prevention for children.
Hands on toothbrushing instruction each visit
Dietary advice at each visit
Preventative interventions
Fluoride varnish application 4 times per year
Utilise home/community support (childsmile, health visitor, school nurse)
What is the main contraindication of duraphat?
Severe asthma attack requiring hospital treatment
Allergic reactions requiring hospital treatment
Allergy to colophony
What alternatives can you provide instead of duraphat in a child with colophony allergy?
Colophony-free varnish
Alternative age appropriate fluoride preparations (MW, toothpaste)
What preventative interventions can you recommend for a patient with enhanced prevention?
Up to 10yrs old: 1350-1500ppmF toothpaste
10-16yrs old 2800ppmF toothpaste for limited period
Food and drink diary
Toothbrushing chart
FV
Fissure sealants on 2s, Ds, and Es
What can you consider under enhanced protection for partially erupted 6s and 7s?
GI sealant until tooth fully erupted.
Outline the principles of standard caries prevention for all children.
Toothbrushing advice 1/year
Dietary advice 1/year
Place sealants on all pits and fissures of permanent molars as soon as possible after eruption
Check existing sealants and top up as needed
FV 2800ppmF (5%) 2/year
How often should follow-up radiographs be taken to assess a child with high caries risk?
6-12 months
How often should a follow-up radiograph be taken to assess a child of normal caries risk?
2 years.
What factors may indicate higher caries risk?
Previous caries
Dietary habits
Socioeconomic status
Fluoride exposure
Plaque control
Saliva
Medical history
What is SDF?
Silver and fluoride mixture, stabilised in ammonia.
Used to topically arrest caries and relieve symptoms.
What is the fluoride content of SDF?
44,800ppmF (38%)
What is the effect of applying SDF to caries?
Silver and fluoride work synergistically to arrest the caries.
They promote remineralisation and also inhibit collagen degradation.
As a result it stains the caries black.
What is the SMART technique utilising SDF?
Silver modified atraumatic restorative technique.
Place SDF underneath a GI restoration.
What are the indications for SDF?
Anxiety
Other modalities not an option
Compliant with preventative advice
Limited co-operation
Waiting for GA
As part of acclimatisation
What are the contraindications for SDF?
Irreversible pulpitis
Dental abscess or sinus
Peri-radicular radiolucency
Allergy to any ingredient or other heavy metals
Pregnant or breastfeeding
Thyroid therapy
