One of the biggest barriers to fluoride varnish treatment—aside from its reputation for having an unfavorable taste or gritty feeling—is overcoming the limitations of dental insurance. Although some insurance companies are slowly beginning to see the light when it comes to caries prevention vs. treating occlusal decay, there’s still room to grow. For Maureen Curran, a hygienist in Norwalk, CT, tackling barriers to fluoride treatment starts with a conversation about the pros and cons.
“When you compare the cost of restorative work with the cost of a fluoride varnish application and all its benefits, most patients will choose to have the fluoride treatment and pay out-of-pocket costs,” Curran said.
First off, taste is important to both children and adults, which is why VOCO’s Profluorid Varnish comes in 5 patient-pleasing flavors that can be easily applied to moist teeth. The 5% sodium fluoride varnish with xylitol rapidly seals off dentinal tubules, freeing patients of pain and sensitivity, while also causing calcium fluoride deposits to form on the tooth surface. This encourages the long-term formation of fluorapatite to protect the tooth from acid attacks and decay.
Curran, who uses Profluorid Varnish for caries prevention, to treat dentin hypersensitivity, and to relieve dry mouth, said the varnish’s best feature is its ability to sweep over the tooth surface quickly and efficiently without clumping. She also likes that the clear varnish sets rapidly, lets patients eat and drink immediately after it’s applied, and has a lighter taste with minimal complaints in the flavor department.
“Its thin, clear film thickness adheres to moist surfaces quickly while featuring a great taste,” she shared, adding that her patients are now happier with less caries and hypersensitivity.
Profluorid Varnish’s 5 flavors—Melon, Cherry, Mint, Bubble Gum, and Caramel—do not contain common allergens such as tree nuts, peanuts, artificial coloring, gluten, or eggs. It can be applied through SingleDose or tube packaging for hygienic, economical, and precise delivery.
“Profluorid Varnish has impacted our practice by allowing the hygiene appointment time to be more productive. It saves us valuable time with its ease of application,” Curran concluded.
