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Colorado School Fluoride Mouth Rinse ProgramAnother segment of the fluoride program is the school mouth rinse program. The purpose of the school fluoride mouthrinse program (SFMRP) is to provide a safe and effective preventive method of reducing dental decay. While not a s affective as the Community Water Fluoridation Program (CWFP), and where communities are too small, or do not have access to optimal levels of fluoride in community water, the school fluoride mouthrinse program helps prevent tooth decay in grade-school children (Grades 1-6) for roughly the same cost per person in a community as for the CWFP, but only reaching approximately one quarter of the population as the CWFP reaches. Children rinse once a week for one minute in the classroom and then spit out the fluoride. The benefit to teeth from a fluoride rinse program is topical - the fluoride solution strengthens the outer layer of tooth enamel and the fluoride is not swallowed. Other examples of topically applied fluoride are toothpastes and fluoride treatments in the dental office. Program SupportA critical step in starting a fluoride mouthrinse program (SFMRP) is obtaining necessary local support. The School Nurse is usually the initiator of the SFMRP. Community leaders in the school setting are most likely to help start a program. Approval from the CDPHE, superintendent and local school board is required before a SFMRP is initiated. A school health committee may be in existence, which could be another support group. Ideally obtain support from the local dental community and area physicians. A neighboring school district may already have a successful SFMRP and school administrators can compare ideas. Once the Oral Health Unit Director and school administration approve the SFMRP, an education program for principals, teachers and parents needs to be scheduled. Allow adequate time for dental staff from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to present clear information on the coordination of a SFMRP and to answer any questions. Educational materials about the fluoride mouthrinse are available to parents. The nurse’s training CD-ROM included in the notebook explains the steps in coordinating a SFMRP. The following topics are usually included in the presentation to a school beginning the SFMRP:
Training for the SFMRPThe local public health dental staff or staff from the Oral Health Unit will offer training sessions for teachers, nurses, parents, aides, or other volunteers who will be responsible for coordinating the SFMRP. A new SFMRP at a school requires practice “swishing” sessions for the children with water prior to beginning the actual fluoride rinsing. One person at each school needs to be responsible for the storage and security of the fluoride mouthrinse supplies. To schedule training sessions please contact the school fluoride mouthrinse coordinator or a dental hygienist staff member, Oral Health Unit. Forms and ReportsYou will find in the training notebook the following forms: 1. Parental Permission Form (Spanish)- required for each participating child and signed forms need to be kept with the student permanent record. School districts can decide if parental permission is ongoing year after year or if new parental permission slips are needed for each school year. 2. Classroom Record - each classroom is requested to keep a mouthrinse record indicating an annual list of the children having parental permission to rinse. This information will be needed for the report to the Oral Health Unit, but also will be helpful if a classroom has a substitute teacher. The list may be posted on the classroom wall. 3. Annual Report Form – each school is requested to complete a short annual report indicating the number of children participating, and the mouthrinse supplies unused at the end of the school year. Any unused fluoride must be stored securely in a cool area and the expiration date checked before using the fluoride the following school year. 4. Supply Order Form – orders for the fluoride mouthrinse may be faxed to school fluoride mouthrinse coordinator or emailed by using the order form found on the Oral Health Unit website at http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/pp/oralhealth/fluoridation/index.html Funding and SuppliesThe Oral Health Unit will fund 100 percent of the cost of supplies needed for the SFMRP. The local school administration is requested to duplicate and distribute the permission slips for the SFMRP. The local school coordinator for the SFMRP will order fluoride supplies at the beginning of the school year and as needed by contacting the school fluoride mouthrinse coordinator. Currently, there are 30 elementary school fluoride programs in Colorado. With a signed parent permission form (Spanish), once a week each student is given a pre-measured dose of fluoride in a cup, swishes the rinse for one minute, and spits it out. A registered nurse usually dispenses the rinse, acting under the standard, or General Orders signed by a Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment licensed physician. Statewide, more than 5,200 children are benefiting from this program. If you would like to know more about a basic example of how to participate in the program: NAFRINSE FLUORIDE MOUTHRINSE PROGRAM, the product currently used, or would like to see a Fluoride Program Description Video, or a Fluoride Program Facilitator Orientation Video, please reference the current supplier’s website: http://www.stonepharmaceuticals.com/nafrinse.htm For more information or technical assistance regarding any of the Colorado Fluoridation Program, contact: State Fluoridation Specialist Back to: CO Fluoridation Program or Oral Health Program (Home) |
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