Colleen E Huebner1, Peter Milgrom2, Joana Cunha-Cruz3, JoAnna Scott4, Charles Spiekerman5, Sharity Ludwig6, Melissa Mitchell7, Gary Allen8, Jeanne Dysert9, R Mike Shirtcliff10. 1. Dr. Huebner is a professor emerita, Department of Health Services, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash., USA. 2. Dr. Milgrom is a professor emeritus, Department of Oral Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash., USA;, Email: dfrc@u.washington.edu. 3. Dr. Cunha-Cruz is a research associate professor, Department of Oral Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash., USA. 4. Dr. Scott is an assistant professor, Office of Research and Graduate Programs, School of Dentistry, University of Missouri Kansas City, Mo., USA. 5. Dr. Spiekerman is a research scientist (deceased), Department of Oral Health Sciences School of Dentistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash., USA. 6. Ms. Ludwig is a director of Clinical Innovations, Redmond, Ore., USA. 7. Ms. Mitchell is a director of Plan Operations, Redmond, Ore., USA. 8. Dr. Allen is a vice president of Clinical Services, Redmond, Ore., USA. 9. Ms. Dysert is a former Chief Operating Officer, Advantage Dental Services LLC, Redmond, Ore., USA. 10. Dr. Shirtcliff is president, RMS Dental Director, Inc., Redmond, Ore., USA.
Abstract
Purpose: Current national evidence-based recommendations for treatment of carious lesions include the use of 38 percent silver diamine fluoride (SDF). The purpose of this study was to learn parents' opinions of esthetic changes to their children's teeth following treatment with SDF.<br/> Methods: Three-hundred nineteen parents who had previously consented to SDF for caries arrest or caries prevention were asked if their child received SDF, if they noticed changes because of SDF, and how "bothered" they were by the changes.<br/> Results: Two-hundred ten parents reported their child received SDF in the past 12 months, of whom 76 percent were confirmed by Codes on Dental Procedures and Nomenclature (CDT): 115 children received SDF for caries arrest and 45 received topical fluoride (SDF) for prevention. Of all 210 who reported SDF, 30 percent described discoloration of their child's teeth or gingiva. On a scale of zero (not bothered at all by changes due to SDF) to 10 (very bothered), parents' average rating was 1.2 ipoints; the average within the caries arrest group was 1.7.<br/> Conclusion: Dental treatment requires a shared decision between parents and professionals, and follow-up regarding new procedures is warranted. In this study, treatment with SDF was well accepted by most parents.
Purpose: Current national evidence-based recommendations for treatment of carious lesions include the use of 38 percent silver diamine fluoride (SDF). The purpose of this study was to learn parents' opinions of esthetic changes to their children's teeth following treatment with SDF.<br/> Methods: Three-hundred nineteen parents who had previously consented to SDF for caries arrest or caries prevention were asked if their child received SDF, if they noticed changes because of SDF, and how "bothered" they were by the changes.<br/> Results: Two-hundred ten parents reported their child received SDF in the past 12 months, of whom 76 percent were confirmed by Codes on Dental Procedures and Nomenclature (CDT): 115 children received SDF for caries arrest and 45 received topical fluoride (SDF) for prevention. Of all 210 who reported SDF, 30 percent described discoloration of their child's teeth or gingiva. On a scale of zero (not bothered at all by changes due to SDF) to 10 (very bothered), parents' average rating was 1.2 ipoints; the average within the caries arrest group was 1.7.<br/> Conclusion: Dental treatment requires a shared decision between parents and professionals, and follow-up regarding new procedures is warranted. In this study, treatment with SDF was well accepted by most parents.