For children up to age 12 La Clinica provides a dental fluoride varnish application during well-child checkups and Happy Smiles exams.
Fluoride varnish is a temporary protective coating that is painted on teeth to help prevent cavities. This treatment has been used for more than 25 years to combat early childhood cavities. Studies have shown a 25-45 percent reduction in the decay rate with the use of fluoride varnish. A study by the Iowa Department of Public Health found a 44 percent cavities reduction among 3-year-olds following semi-annual varnish applications. By all indications, dental varnish treatments are safe for use on infants and children; the sticky nature of the fluoride varnish and the small amount used limits the risk of ingestion, making the risk of toxicity very low.
Given the great need for restorative services in our community, La Clinica is eager to find a means to slow down the rate of dental decay. As with any prevention strategy, our best hope is in reaching younger populations.