Evidence-based clinical recommendations on the prescription of dietary fluoride supplements for caries prevention A report of the American Dental Association Council on Scientific Affairs

Background This article presents evidence based clinical recommendations for the prescription of dietary fluoride supplements The recommendations were developed by an expert panel convened by the American Dental Association (ADA) Council on Scientific Affairs (CSA) The panel addressed the following questions when and for whom should fluoride supplements be prescribed and what should be the recommended dosage schedule for dietary fluoride supplements? Types of Studies Reviewed A panel of experts convened by the ADA CSA m collaboration with staff of the ADA Center for Evidence based Dentistry conducted a MEDLINE search to identify publications that addressed the research questions systematic reviews as well as clinical studies published since the systematic reviews were conducted (June 1 2006) Results The panel concluded that dietary fluoride supplements should be prescribed only for children who are at high risk of developing canes and whose primary source of drinking water is deficient m fluoride Clinical Implications These recommendations are a resource for practitioners to consider in the clinical decision making process As part of the evidence based approach to care these clinical recommendations should be integrated with the practitioners professional judgment and the patients needs and preferences Providers should carefully monitor the patient s adherence to the fluoride dosing schedule to maximize the potential therapeutic benefit