title: Fluoride Varnish Application in the Primary Care Setting. A Clinical Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The study objectives were twofold: 1. To examine how an intervention to apply fluoride varnish (FV) in a primary health setting to all young, low-income children was implemented and sustained and 2. To assess the feasibility of tracking medical care utilization in this population.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included children age 1-5, insured through a government program, seen (7/1/2010-4/30/2012). Data on age, race, sex, clinic encounter, eligibility for and receipt of FV was obtained. The level of data in primary care, specialty care, urgent care and hospitalizations to assess feasibility of future patient tracking was also acquired..
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 12,067 children, 85% received FV. Differences were found by age (youngest had highest rates). Small differences by race (81%-88%, highest in Blacks.) was found. No differences were found by sex. Ability to track over time was mixed. Approximately 50% had comprehensive data. However, primary care visit and hospitalization data was available on a larger percentage.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  FV programs can be introduced in the primary care setting and sustained. Further, long-term follow up is possible. Future study of such cohorts capturing health and cost benefits of oral health prevention efforts is needed.
authors.affiliation: From Health Partners Institute for Education and Research, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Rolnick
authors.affiliation: From Health Partners Institute for Education and Research, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.affiliation: From Health Partners Institute for Education and Research, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: DeFor
authors.affiliation: From Health Partners Institute for Education and Research, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Flottemesch
mesh_terms: D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000367:Age Factors; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated; D057286:Electronic Health Records; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017050:Episode of Care; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005460:Fluorides, Topical / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008910:Minnesota; D011203:Poverty; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015397:Program Evaluation; D019037:Urban Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D005460:Fluorides, Topical
keywords: Children; Fluoride varnish; Primary care center; caries prevention