Frontiers in Oral Health (Jul 2021)

Global Oral Health Policies and Guidelines: Using Silver Diamine Fluoride for Caries Control

  • Sherry Shiqian Gao,
  • Gwendolyn Amarquaye,
  • Gwendolyn Amarquaye,
  • Peter Arrow,
  • Peter Arrow,
  • Peter Arrow,
  • Kalpana Bansal,
  • Raman Bedi,
  • Raman Bedi,
  • Guglielmo Campus,
  • Guglielmo Campus,
  • Kitty Jieyi Chen,
  • Ana Cláudia Rodrigues Chibinski,
  • Tselmuun Chinzorig,
  • Tselmuun Chinzorig,
  • Yasmi O. Crystal,
  • Duangporn Duangthip,
  • María Laura Ferri,
  • María Laura Ferri,
  • Morenike Oluwatoyin Folayan,
  • Ariuntuul Garidkhuu,
  • Ariuntuul Garidkhuu,
  • Hamdi H. Hamama,
  • Varangkanar Jirarattanasopha,
  • Arthur Kemoli,
  • Soraya C. Leal,
  • Pattarawadee Leelataweewud,
  • Vijay Prakash Mathur,
  • Tshepiso Mfolo,
  • Yasuko Momoi,
  • Nicoline Potgieter,
  • Arzu Tezvergil-Mutluay,
  • Edward Chin Man Lo,
  • Chun Hung Chu

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/froh.2021.685557
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 2

Abstract

Read online

Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) was developed in Japan in the 1960s. It is a clear solution containing silver and fluoride ions. Because of its anti-bacterial and remineralizing effect, silver diamine fluoride has been used in managing dental caries for decades worldwide. This paper aims to summarize and discuss the global policies, guidelines, and relevant information on utilizing SDF for caries management. SDF can be used for treating dental caries in most countries. However, it is not permitted to be used in mainland China. Several manufacturers, mainly in Australia, Brazil, India, Japan, and the United States, produce SDF at different concentrations that are commercially available around the world. The prices differ between contents and brands. Different government organizations and dental associations have developed guidelines for clinical use of SDF. Dental professionals can refer to the specific guidelines in their own countries or territories. Training for using SDF is part of undergraduate and/or postgraduate curriculums in almost all countries. However, real utilization of SDF of dentists, especially in the private sector, remains unclear in most places because little research has been conducted. There are at least two ongoing regional-wide large-scale oral health programs, using SDF as one of the components to manage dental caries in young children (one in Hong Kong and one in Mongolia). Because SDF treatment does not require caries removal, and it is simple, non-invasive, and inexpensive, SDF is a valuable strategy for caries management in young children, elderly people, and patients with special needs. In addition, to reduce the risk of bacteria or virus transmission in dental settings, using SDF as a non-aerosol producing procedure should be emphasized under the COVID-19 outbreak.

Keywords