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Fluoride Varnish: A Cost-Effective Policy that Works

Fluoride varnish is an effective preventive treatment for early childhood caries (cavities) and can be safely applied by dentists and physicians. Research demonstrates that Medicaid coverage for fluoride varnish is cost-effective, with several states projecting net savings over a child’s lifetime. However, Louisiana is one of just a handful of states that do not provide Medicaid reimbursement to physicians for fluoride varnish applications.

Implementing a Fluoride Varnish Program in Louisiana

Physicians have an important role to play in improving young children’s oral health because young children are much more likely to see a pediatrician than a dentist. In 2007, 49% of Louisiana children ages 1-5 had not received preventive dental care visits in the previous year, while just 7% of children under age 5 had not received preventive medical care. The LA Fluoride Varnish Initiative advocates for providing Medicaid reimbursement to physicians’ offices for fluoride varnish applications to prevent tooth decay.

Visit the Proposal page to learn about the proposed program.

Research on Fluoride & Children’s Oral Health

The Pew Center on States’ Children’s Dental Campaign recently released The State of Children’s Dental Health, which graded states based on eight key policy benchmarks. Louisiana earned a “D” for meeting only three of the eight benchmarks.

For more information about this report, as well as other resources related to children’s oral health, fluoride, and the effectiveness of fluoride varnish, visit our Resources and Research page.

Children’s Oral Health in Louisiana

Good oral health is critical to a child’s overall health and well-being. However, research conducted by the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals shows that more than 40% of third grade children in Louisiana have untreated dental decay, compared to 29% of children nationally.

Working to Improve Children’s Oral Health in Louisiana

The Louisiana Fluoride Varnish Initiative advocates for increasing children’s access to fluoride varnish by approving Medicaid reimbursement to medical providers who apply fluoride varnish. Fluoride varnish has been shown to be particularly effective in preventing cavities among high-risk young children and can be safely applied in a physician’s office. Louisiana is one of just a handful of states that does not provide Medicaid reimbursement to physicians for fluoride varnish applications.