NOTE: This was a livestreamed session from ADHA's Annual Conference in Long Beach, CA, sponsored by Colgate.

Speaker: Victoria V. Patrounova, RDH, MHA

Program Track: Clinical

Course Description: This course provides dental professionals with a comprehensive understanding of fluoride and its essential role in caries prevention. Participants will explore the science behind fluoride’s mechanisms of action, compare systemic and topical fluoride applications, and review current guidelines from leading health authorities. The course also addresses fluoride toxicity, evaluates various fluoride products, and equips clinicians with strategies to effectively communicate fluoride recommendations to patients based on their individual caries risks (diet, oral hygiene regimen, local contributing factors, systemic conditions, medication-induced xerostomia, etc). Designed for both clinicians and educators, this course blends foundational knowledge with practical applications to support optimal outcomes across patient populations.

Learning Objectives:

• Explain the distinctions between fluoride and fluorine and the mechanism of action to prevent dental caries.
• Differentiate between systemic and topical fluoride and identify signs and symptoms of acute and chronic fluoride toxicity.
• Summarize current CDC and AAPD guidelines regarding fluoride supplementation.
• Evaluate the efficacy and appropriate use of various fluoride products in clinical practice.
• Develop individualized fluoride recommendations based on caries risk assessment and identify effective patient communication strategies.

CE Credit Hours: 1.5

Course Creation Date: October 4, 2025

The American Dental Hygienists' Association is designated as an approved provider by the American Academy of Dental Hygiene, Inc. #AADHADH (Jan. 1, 2025–Dec. 31, 2025). Approval does not imply acceptance by a state or provincial Board of Dentistry. Licensee should maintain this document in the event of an audit.

The American Dental Hygienists’ Association is an approved provider of dental continuing education as recognized by the Dental Board of California, Provider #5238.