The application of fluoride varnish

Since the publication of Delivering Better Oral Health (Department of Health, 2007; 2009) in England there has been an increased focus on the application of fluoride varnish as an effective method of caries control in adults and children. This has led to a recognition that a team approach is well suited to modern dentistry with some tasks being delegated to appropriately trained dental care professionals, leaving more challenging treatment to the dental surgeon.

The application of fluoride varnish to the prescription of a dentist is regarded as an additional skill by the General Dental Council (GDC, 2009) and therefore requires registered dental nurses to be adequately trained in its use. The GDC no longer approves training courses; instead it is up to the individual registrant to ensure that the training they receive is sufficiently rigorous. The essential elements of the required training are clearly described in guidance from Primary Care Commissioning (PPC, 2009), The Use of Fluoride Varnish by Dental Nurses.