New flouride varnish program now in place in R-5 schools

Kids love the taste -- it tastes like bubble gum -- and it's free, so parents don't have to worry about spending too much. Best of all it helps prevent cavities. It's dental fluoride varnish and children in kindergarten and fifth grade will have it applied to their teeth -- if the parents return the permission slips -- at Bryan and Truman elementary schools toward the end of the month.

"The reason grades one through four aren't getting the fluoride varnish is that they are already getting the fluoride rinse in those grades," Denise Nelson, R-5 health services coordinator, said. "However, by 2011 the fluoride rinse will no longer be available."

Nelson said that while it is new to Missouri the fluoride varnish has been used in Iowa since 2001 and even longer overseas.

"In Europe and Canada they have been using this successfully for more than 30 years," Nelson said. "There are 21 states that have fluoride varnish programs and more than 120 school districts here in Missouri have started the program. In Independence they have treated approximately 4,000 students, Blue Springs has treated approximately 1,000 students and Lee's Summit has treated approximately 2,000."

Before the fluoride varnish is applied the child will go through an education and screening process and the results will be provided to the parents.

"Each child will be given a toothbrush, toothpaste and some dental floss," Nelson said.

The fluoride varnish starts out as a gel-like paste that is brushed onto all the surfaces of the child's teeth. It hardens on contact with moisture and lasts for a day or two. Once it is applied the child can eat or drink normally.

To get the word out Nelson has put posters up around Nevada where they might be noticed by the parents of children most needing the services, those that are on Medicaid and don't have a regular dentist.

"I put posters up at the Community Pantry, the Health Department and Family Services," Nelson said. "In our district 49 percent of the children are on Medicaid and none of the dentists in Nevada accept that."

Ann Hoffman, Oral Health Program Consultant with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, is helping Nelson coordinate the program. Hoffman said that the help of local dentists was essential and it was very much appreciated.

"We thank the dentists in the community who help provide care for the children," Hoffman said. "They are a valuable resource for us and the children."