The environmental impact of community caries prevention - part 1: fluoride varnish application

Abstract

Background Healthcare is a significant contributor to climate change and planetary health. Prevention of oral disease, such as caries, is an important part of any mechanism to improve sustainability. Caries prevention includes community schemes such as water fluoridation, toothbrushing, or fluoride varnish (FV) application. The aim of this study was to quantify the environmental impact of FV application.Materials and methods A comparative life cycle assessment (LCA) was conducted to quantify the environmental impact of a five-year-old child receiving two FV applications in a one-year period in schools and in dental practice.Results FV application in dental practice during an existing appointment had the lowest environmental impact in all 16 categories, followed by FV application in schools. FV application at a separate dental practice appointment had the highest impact in all categories, with a majority of the impact resulting from the patient travel into dental practice.Discussion FV application while a child is already attending dental practice (for example, at routine recall) is the most sustainable way to deliver FV. School FV programmes are an alternative, equitable way to reach all children who may not access routine care in dental practice.