to mention proper dental care . It is also partly due to patient education . School programs and community outreach initiatives have elevated awareness of the benefits of fluoride . In addition , early intervention has expanded as some physician / pediatrician offices are now involved in fluoride varnish programs for younger children , especially since the Affordable Care Act began but also through Medicaid , according to Dr . Levy . “ Every health insurance plan provides reimbursement to physicians for providing fluoride varnish up to age five ,” Dr . Levy says . “ Not to dentists , but to physicians because most young children don ’ t go to the dentist . Only a minority get to the dentist by age three , but most kids have had 10 to 20 visits to the physician by age three .” Dr . Levy adds that considering the changing epidemiology , adults would benefit if having professional fluoride therapy for caries prevention was covered by insurance .
Many adults do not understand why using fluoride-containing over-thecounter ( OTC ) toothpastes and mouthrinses should be part of their daily routine for life , so better communication with them about using effective and scientifically validated home-care products and regularly visiting their dentist for examinations and any necessary additional preventive care could make a big difference in the longevity of their dentition .
Why is this important ?
Dentists have been aware of the oral health / systemic health connection for decades now , but many people do not understand the message , especially if they do not have a “ dental home ” or access to dental care . In fact , according to the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion ( ODPHP ), almost 45 % ( age adjusted ) of people aged 2 and older had seen a dentist in the previous 12 months in 2007 , a statistic that then did not change much over the next 10 years . 16
Reinforcing the Importance of Fluoride Use for Lifelong Dental Health
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