Fluoride varnish

[6][7][non-primary source needed] There are more than 30 fluoride-containing varnish products on the market today, and they have varying compositions and delivery systems.

These compositional differences lead to widely variable pharmacokinetics, the effects of which remain largely untested clinically.

Fluoride varnishes are relatively new in the United States, but they have been widely used in western Europe, Canada, South Africa and the Scandinavian countries since the 1980s as a dental caries prevention therapy.

A panel of experts convened by the American Dental Association (ADA) Council on Scientific Affairs presents evidence-based clinical recommendations regarding professionally applied, prescription-strength and home-use topical fluoride agents for caries prevention.

As part of the evidence-based approach to care, these clinical recommendations should be integrated with a practitioner's professional judgment and the patient's needs and preferences.

To date, there have been no studies that show that altering the basic formulation recommended by the FDA will result in greater caries reduction.