Caries risk-based fluoride supplementation for children.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate primary care physicians' recommendation of fluoride supplements based upon a child's caries risk.


METHODS
A representative sample of family physicians (FPs) and pediatricians (PDs) in the United States was mailed a letter and a questionnaire that described case scenarios of 2-year-old children-one with low and the other with high caries-risk -as well as questions about opinions on fluoride supplement use. The physicians' opinions were compared with CDC experts' consensus on the same scenarios.


RESULTS
The response rates were 43% for FPs and 52% for PDs. FPs and PDs had a high agreement level (76% ond 80%, respectively) with CDC experts regarding the need for fluoride supplementation of the high-risk child. For o low risk child, all physicians showed a significantly lower level of agreement with the CDC experts (15% for FPs; 7% for PDs).


CONCLUSIONS
The majority of primary care physicians follow the current fluoride supplementation guideline without considering the caries risk status of a child. If caries risk status is to be used to tailor preventive regimens, then physicians need to be educated on how to identify children with the highest need for prevention.
Sohn
Woosung
W
School of Dentistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. woosung@umich.edu
Ismail
Amid I
AI
Taichman
L Susan
LS
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002487:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.; D002675:Child, Preschool; D032921:Consensus; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000517:prevention & control; D003733:Dental Caries Susceptibility; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D005459:Fluorides / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010372:Pediatrics; D010821:Physicians, Family; D012307:Risk Factors; D012923:Social Class; D014099:Toothbrushing; D014100:Toothpastes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014481:United States
D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D014100:Toothpastes; D005459:Fluorides