Nurse–child interaction during fluoride varnish application

The NHS is shifting its focus from sickness and cure to wellness and prevention. The administration of fluoride, in the form of toothpastes, varnish, water, milk or mouthwashes, is one well known method of preventing dental caries. Fluoride can act both topically and systemically, hence having an effect on the teeth pre and post eruptively. Therefore, the application of fluoride varnish in the primary dentition not only reduces the prevalence of disease in this dentition, but will also act systemically to reduce caries in the permanent teeth. With this is mind, a healthcare initiative was launched in Scotland, in 2006, called Childsmile. The Childsmile programme employs dental nurses to apply fluoride varnish to preschool children as part of a range of preventative interventions.