With premeasured unit-dose application and a variety of flavors that enhance fluoride intake, Patterson Dental’s fluoride varnish improves hygiene treatments for clinicians and patients alike
As many patients recline in the dental chair, they feel a sense of apprehension toward treatment, even when they are familiar with the in-office hygiene routine. They obviously understand the inherent benefits and overall importance of their dental visits enough to have made it this far, but they also know that the taste and texture of certain materials can be off-putting, to say the least.
Since introducing Patterson 5% Sodium Fluoride Varnish to patients in her Barrington, IL, office, hygienist Donna Grzegorek has watched that moment of apprehension in the chair become one of anticipation. “Patients have commented that this fluoride varnish ‘tastes very good,’ and they seem to have a diminished ‘gag reflex’ with it vs others that are clumpier,” she said. “I have several patients I prefer to return on a 3-month schedule for fluoride varnish due to sensitivity issues, white spot lesions, or stress fractures from clenching and/or grinding. These patients happily return on a 3-month basis for a polish and fluoride varnish application.”
Quick, Easy, and Efficient Application
Patterson 5% Sodium Fluoride Varnish is used as a cavity varnish to treat dentinal hypersensitivity. Its unit-dose packaging with an included brush applicator affords quick and easy application while also reducing the risks of cross-contamination.
“I appreciate the premeasured dosing, as time and motion in the operatory are of the essence,” Grzegorek said. “Patients are always in a hurry and ask how long applying fluoride will take. Assuring them that it will take less than a minute of their time is more important to them than the cost of treatment.”
She added, “I like that peeling back the foil cover is not a struggle either. Other brands resist upon opening, and the varnish hops out on my lab coat, which is very frustrating!”
Additionally, the varnish maximizes tooth contact with its smooth, consistent texture, as well as a fast and steady fluoride release. “The viscosity of the varnish is really perfect,” Grzegorek said. “The packaging is easy to manipulate quickly and neatly, the brush applicator is very effective, and the viscosity makes it very efficient to apply. It is thin enough to apply evenly without falling off the applicator brush and making a mess.”
Patient-Pleasing Flavors and Outcomes
“Patterson has several choices of fluoride varnish flavors available to appease patients of any age group,” Grzegorek said. “I appreciate xylitol as a nonmedicinal ingredient vs some other flavoring agents that other companies use. I also like the fact that the product does not contain BPA, DEHP, or allergens like gluten, wheat, peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, fish, shellfish, soy, sesame, or corn.”
Patterson 5% Sodium Fluoride Varnish dries to a natural tooth color and is available in bubble gum, caramel, cherry, mint, and strawberry flavors, which helps boost patient compliance.
“I enjoy using Patterson’s fluoride varnish because it is easy to use and patients don’t complain about visualizing varnish on their teeth after application. All flavors are also dairy-free—with the exception of the caramel flavor—making it safe to use across the board,” Grzegorek said. “To my surprise, at least in my practice, adult patients chose caramel more than the kids. I have also tried all the flavors personally, and they really are very tasty.”
Ultimately, she concluded, “In any case, the more comfortable the patient is with the viscosity, flavor, and appearance of a varnish, the more willing they are to accept treatment.”
