Assessing Compliance with CDC’s New Flouride Recommendations

Columbia University, Harlem Health Promotion Center

University of California at Berkeley, Center for Family and Community Health

University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, University of Texas Prevention Research Center

Topics:
Community Health | Oral Health

Fluoride use is a factor in reducing dental cavities in the United States and is one of the most cost-effective prevention methods available. However, many of the original recommendations for fluoride use were based on research from the 1930s. During the late 1990s, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) developed new recommendations for fluoride use, in particular  “…all persons drink water with an optimal fluoride concentration and brush their teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste.”  Three Prevention Research Centers (PRCs) evaluated the response of different groups (adults, public health practitioners, and pediatricians) to the new recommendations.

The PRC in Houston, Texas, assessed whether the new recommendations improved knowledge, attitudes, and fluoride use among adults. Researchers at Berkeley’s PRC assessed how public health practitioners informed communities about the new recommendations and how effective they were in increasing community members’ knowledge and improving their behavior. The researchers in New York City taught pediatricians who treat African-American and Latino children how to instruct patients and their parents about home dental care. Pediatricians were also informed about the new recommendations for fluoridated drinking water and toothpaste, and the new guidelines for prescribing fluoride supplements. Researchers evaluated pediatricians’ change in knowledge, opinions, and practices three months after the education program.

 

Back to Research Projects