The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated a paradigm shift in oral health care towards a non-surgical management of caries approach, utilizing minimally invasive operative interventions. Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is a particularly promising treatment modality, offering low-cost, aerosol-free application requiring minimal intervention and preparation, and with no local anesthesia delivery. This toolkit is intended to help guide oral health care providers in delivering SDF treatment to North Carolina’s most vulnerable populations.
In this toolkit, we will outline the most current literature and research, provide guidance links to assist providers in effectively utilizing SDF, as well as stress the important of patient-informed consent. As with all NCOHC clinical resources, it is imperative and encouraged that treatment decisions are evidence-based, developed in a collaborative nature between patient and provider, and are conducted with the highest ethical and quality standards in mind –– which includes providing comprehensive oral health care.
