A national study of fluoride mouthrinse adoption: implications for school health personnel

The ongoing adoption of school-based fluoride mouthrinse programs in the U.S. has provided the opportunity to study the issues surrounding the adoption and implementation of a health technology by public schools. Findings from a National Study on the Diffusion of Preventive Health Measures to Schools have been selected for analysis with regard to the role of school health personnel in the adoption and delivery of the service. A more visible role for school health personnel as on-site health experts is discussed, as well as the potential ways for increasing their involvement through facilitating initial program adoption, relaying accurate and up-to-date implementation information to decision-makers, developing a constituency for long-term program support and ensuring program accuracy through monitoring and continuing education.