Dental hygiene and predoctoral dental curricula concerning dietary fluoride supplements

Abstract

Deficiencies have been identified in dentists' knowledge about and use of proper protocol in systemic fluoride supplementation and water fluoride assay. Although AADS curriculum guidelines include systemic fluoride supplementation, little is known about actual predoctoral dental and dental hygiene curricula in this area. This study used a mail survey format to investigate dental and dental hygiene curricula concerning systemic fluoride supplementation. The majority of pertinent topics were reported to be included in most program curricula. However, the majority of programs reported no opportunities for students to apply the lecture material presented. Clinical evaluation of the fluoride supplement needs of all child patients is recommended. Student experience should be enhanced by the use of simulated experiences, especially in urban dental and dental hygiene programs. The dentist/dental hygienist team approach should be encouraged.