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Fluoride is a valuable caries prevention modality that has a large body of evidence supporting its use. Because infants, young children, and their parents typically visit the pediatric office many times before ever seeing a dentist, parents may bring questions about fluoride to their pediatricians. Moreover, health supervision visits provide unique opportunities for pediatricians to address fluoride in the context of preventive oral health. However, until recently, pediatricians typically received little training in oral health and therefore may need additional education about fluoride to answer parents’ questions, counter misinformation, and ensure appropriate use of fluoride among their patients. Given that approximately one-quarter of US children younger than 5 years have caries, it is particularly important that pediatricians are knowledgeable about fluoride and comfortable with delivering it to their patients.
Fluoride is highly effective in preventing dental caries (commonly known as dental...
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