title: Summary of: the impact of fluoride application training: survey of trained dental nurses from King's College Hospital NHS Trust.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the perceived benefits of a fluoride varnish training scheme, subsequent use of extended skills and any barriers that exist, in order to inform future training and practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Questionnaire survey of the first four cohorts of fluoride varnish training at one London dental hospital.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-six (62%) nurses responded to the survey, 89% of whom were using fluoride varnishing. 'Personal development', 'NHS initiatives' and 'having a supportive principal' were key drivers for course attendance. Over 2,500 fluoride application treatments were carried out (range = 0-630) with six nurses providing 71% of the treatments. Twenty nurses (56%) worked in the salaried primary dental care service and provided 69% of treatments, the remaining 31% of treatments were provided by the 44% (n = 16) of nurses in general dental practice. Barriers were 'systems-related' and 'professional', including lack of community programmes, consultant oversight, referrals, materials and concerns regarding insurance and consent. The majority felt that the course contributed to their professional career (97%), and expressed their confidence in conducting fluoride application (80%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings highlight the potential for using extended roles to deliver evidence-based prevention and variation in their use; however, there is some evidence that organisational and professional barriers exist.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Surgery, University of Leeds, UK.
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Levine