Nurses Showcase Effectiveness in School-Based Caries Prevention Program with Silver Diamine Fluoride

In a recent study published in Clinical Dentistry, researchers investigated the effectiveness of registered nurses compared to dental hygienists in administering silver diamine fluoride (SDF) and fluoride varnish (FV) as part of a school-based caries prevention program. The study, conducted over two years, evaluated the proportion of school-aged children treated by each professional group who remained free of cavitated carious lesions.

Comparative Analysis of Treatment Outcomes

The longitudinal trial involved 417 children, with 298 treated by dental hygienists and 119 by registered nurses, all under the supervision of a paediatric dentist. The results indicated that after two years, 81% of children treated by hygienists remained caries-free, while the figure for those treated by registered nurses was 80%. The marginal difference of 0.01 fell below the non-inferiority threshold, suggesting that registered nurses’ performance was comparable to that of dental hygienists in maintaining children’s oral health.

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Examining the development of new cavitated carious lesions, the study revealed that 52.5% of participants treated by registered nurses were caries-free at the follow-up, compared to 43.2% of those treated by dental hygienists. These findings indicate a potential advantage in preventing new cavitated carious lesions when registered nurses are involved in the application of SDF and FV in school-based oral health programs.

Implications for School-Based Dental Medicine

The study’s lead researcher, Laurie C. Carter, DDS, PhD, emphasised the significance of incorporating silver diamine fluoride application into school caries prevention programs. The research not only underscores the viability of alternative treatments in traditional prevention programs but also highlights the potential role of under-utilised health professionals, such as registered nurses, in providing effective care.

Expanding Reach and Enhancing Effectiveness

In conclusion, the research supports the notion that registered nurses can play a crucial role in school-based oral health programs by effectively administering silver diamine fluoride and fluoride varnish. This not only expands the reach of oral health initiatives in schools but also demonstrates the value of diversifying the clinical workforce to optimise the effectiveness of preventive measures.

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