Topical fluoride impact in future restorative dental procedures: A claim study

Background: Caries is one of the most prevalent diseases affecting children. Topical fluoride is used to decrease the incidence of caries. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of fluoride varnish and gel applications on future restorative dental treatment claims.

Methods: The data were obtained in conjunction with a dental data warehouse through a partnership agreement. A retrospective analysis of dental claims made from 2010 through 2018 was completed. Data were extracted for patients aged 1 through 8 years with topical fluoride application and its subsequent impact on restorative dental claims.

Results: Data for 672,889 patients were included in the analysis. Patients who received topical fluoride had significantly lower numbers (P < .001) of restorative procedures and extractions per year and significantly increased time (P < .001) to their first restorative procedure or extraction after the index visit than patients who did not receive topical fluoride.

Conclusions: The application of fluoride varnishes and gels increased the time to future restorative and extraction dental claims and decreased the number of future restorative and extraction dental claims.

Practical implications: This study is important because it found that the use of topical fluoride decreased the number of future restorative and extraction dental claims.