Child Fluoride Varnish Programs Implementation: A Consensus Workshop and Actions to Increase Scale-Up in Australia

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Dental Health
• Preventive Dentistry

Background:

• Fluoride varnish programs are an internationally recognized, evidence-based strategy for preventing dental caries in high-risk children.
• These programs have not been implemented at a national scale in Australia.
• A consensus workshop was convened to address this gap and promote national scale-up.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present findings from the 2018 National Fluoride Varnish Workshop.
• To identify key actions for scaling up fluoride varnish programs nationally in Australia.
• To foster a strategic, population-based approach to oral health for caries prevention.

Main Methods:

• Convening a National Fluoride Varnish Consensus Workshop in Sydney, November 2018.
• Gathering oral health representatives from all Australian states and territories, and the Australian Dental Association.
• Discussing current jurisdictional work and seeking consensus on national scale-up strategies.

Main Results:

• Strong support was expressed for the national scale-up of fluoride varnish programs.
• There was consensus on the wider use of non-dental professionals for varnish application.
• Key actions for systematic program implementation were identified.

Conclusions:

• Scaling up fluoride varnish programs is crucial for a national, strategic approach to preventing dental caries in Australian children.
• Empowering non-dental professionals can enhance program reach and effectiveness.
• Continued collaboration and action are needed to implement these programs effectively.