Delivering Better Oral Health toolkit

Question 1

PREVENTION OF CARIES
Children aged up to 3 years
Advice to be given:

Answer 1

• Breast feeding provides the best nutrition for babies
• From six months of age infants should be introduced to drinking from a free-flow cup, and from age one year feeding from a bottle should be discouraged
• Sugar should not be added to weaning foods or drinks
• Parents/carers should brush or supervise tooth brushing
• As soon as teeth erupt in the mouth brush them twice daily with a fluoridated toothpaste
• Brush last thing at night and on one other occasion.
• Use fluoridated toothpaste containing no less than 1,000 ppm fluoride
• It is good practice to use only a smear of toothpaste
• The frequency and amount of sugary food and drinks should be reduced.
• Sugar-free medicines should be recommended

Question 2

PREVENTION OF CARIES
All children aged 3-6 years
Advice to be given:

Answer 2

• Brush at least twice daily, with a fluoridated toothpaste
• Brush last thing at night and at least on one other occasion
• Apply fluoride varnish to teeth two times a year (2.2% NaF-)
• Brushing should be supervised by a parent/carer
• Use fluoridated toothpaste containing more than 1,000 ppm fluoride
• It is good practice to use only a pea size amount
• Spit out after brushing and do not rinse, to maintain fluoride concentration levels
• The frequency and amount of sugary food and drinks should be reduced
• Sugar-free medicines should be recommended

Question 3

PREVENTION OF CARIES
All children aged 3-6 years
Professional intervention:

Answer 3

• Apply fluoride varnish to teeth two times a year (2.2% NaF-)

Question 4

PREVENTION OF CARIES
Children aged 0-6 giving concern (eg, those likely to
develop caries, those with special needs)
Advice to be given:

Answer 4

All advice as all 3-6 year olds in addition:
• Use fluoridated toothpaste containing 1,350 -1,500 ppm fluoride
• It is good practice to use only a smear or pea size amount
• Where medication is given frequently or long term request that it is sugar free, or used to minimise cariogenic effects

Question 5

PREVENTION OF CARIES
Children aged 0-6 giving concern (eg, those likely to
develop caries, those with special needs)
Professional intervention:

Answer 5

• Apply fluoride varnish to teeth two or more times a year (2.2% NaF-)
• Reduce recall interval
• Investigate diet and assist adoption of good dietary practice in line with the Eatwell Guide
• Where medication is given frequently or long term, liaise with medical practitioner to request it is sugar free, or used to minimise cariogenic effects

Question 6

PREVENTION OF CARIES
Prevention of caries in children aged from 7 years and young adults (all patients)
Advice given:

Answer 6

• Brush at least twice daily, with a fluoridated toothpaste
• Brush last thing at night and at least on one other occasion
• Use fluoridated toothpaste (1,350 – 1,500 ppm fluoride)
• Spit out after brushing and do not rinse, to maintain fluoride concentration levels
• The frequency and amount of sugary food and drinks should be reduced

Question 7

PREVENTION OF CARIES
Prevention of caries in children aged from 7 years and young adults (all patients)
Professional intervention:

Answer 7

• Apply fluoride varnish to teeth two times a year (2.2% NaF-)

Question 8

PREVENTION OF CARIES- in children aged from 7 years and young adults (all patients)
Those giving concern to their dentist (eg, those with obvious current active caries, those with ortho appliances, dry mouth, other predisposing factors, those with special needs)
Advice given:

Answer 8

Same as all patients, plus:
• Use a fluoride mouth rinse daily (0.05% NaF) at a
different time to brushing

Question 9

PREVENTION OF CARIES- in children aged from 7 years and young adults (all patients)
Those giving concern to their dentist (eg, those with obvious current active caries, those with ortho appliances, dry mouth, other predisposing factors, those with special needs)
Professional Intervention:

Answer 9

• Fissure seal permanent molars with resin sealant I
• Apply fluoride varnish to teeth two or more times
a year (2.2% NaF-)
• For those 8 years upwards with active caries
prescribe daily fluoride rinse
• For those 10+ years with active caries prescribe
2800 ppm fluoride toothpaste
• For those 16+ years with active disease
prescribe either 2800 ppm or 5000 ppm fluoride
toothpaste
• Investigate diet and assist to adopt good dietary
practice in line with the Eatwell Guide

Question 10

PREVENTION OF CARIES- in adults
All Adults
Advice Given:

Answer 10

• Brush at least twice daily, with a fluoridated
toothpaste
• Brush last thing at night and at least on one other
occasion
• Use fluoridated toothpaste with at least 1350ppm
fluoride
• Spit out after brushing and do not rinse, to
maintain fluoride concentration
• The frequency and amount of sugary food and
drinks should be reduced

Question 11

PREVENTION OF CARIES- in adults
Those giving concern to their dentist (eg. with obvious current active caries, dry mouth, other predisposing factors, those with special needs)
Advice Given

Answer 11

Same as all adults, plus:
Use a fluoride mouthrinse daily (0.05% NaF) at a
different time to brushing

Question 12

PREVENTION OF CARIES- in adults
Those giving concern to their dentist (eg. with obvious current active caries, dry mouth, other predisposing factors, those with special needs)
Profession Intervention:

Answer 12

Apply fluoride varnish to teeth twice yearly (2.2%
NaF)
• For those with active coronal or root caries
prescribe daily fluoride rinse
• For those with obvious active coronal or root
caries prescribe 2,800 or 5000 ppm fluoride
toothpaste
• Investigate diet and assist to adopt good dietary
practice in line with the Eatwell Guide