Struggling with Fluoride Hesitancy Among Patients? Here’s What You Can Do.

With a lot of anti-fluoride headlines floating around recently, it may seem like the dental profession is at the losing end of the battle. Well…it looks like the negative rhetoric is coming from a very vocal minority. When it seems like the whole country is against fluoride, it’s important for dental professionals to stay grounded and look at the hard facts. Do not be overwhelmed, the data is on your side! CareQuest Institute for Oral Health conducted a survey that showed the majority of Americans are not against fluoride and most trust your expert opinion:

“Among U.S. adults, 52% support and 29% do not oppose fluoride use in drinking water. Most Americans (96%) trust their family doctor or pediatrician for information about fluoride, and 86% use some form of it, according to the report that was based on responses from 1,114 U.S. adults collected in July.”

The good news is most of your patients are pro-fluoride. The bad news is fluoride hesitancy is an issue that will keep growing if the dental community doesn’t take action.  It’s understandable that having conversations with fluoride hesitant patients may not be easy but it is more important than ever for you to engage in those discussions. We cannot let a loud minority override expert opinion on this valuable preventive tool. 

Remember, your patients respect your authority. Use this to your advantage. There are some strategies you can use to facilitate better communication:

1. Don’t use dental or scientific jargon. Remember your audience and use language they understand. Educate (hygienists are educators first, clinicians second) your patient by using terms and explanations they understand.
2. Don’t ramble. Try to keep your argument to one or two simple and straightforward sentences. This keeps it simple for your patients and helps them understand what you are trying to convey.
3. Use emotional appeal. Try to be relatable to your patients. Use statements that appeal to emotion, such as:
   1.  “As a parent, I apply fluoride varnish to keep my children’s teeth healthy”
   1.  “The best way to prevent Timmy from going through the pain of another cavity are regular fluoride treatments”. 
4. Show and tell. Showing the patient their active decay, biofilm or white spot lesions allows them to see the trouble spots and helps them understand why fluoride  treatment is recommended. It’s not just an abstract issue, they can see exactly what is going on.
5. Remember – you can’t convince everyone. Some patients may not be open to your arguments. When the conversation gets heated, keep it professional and end the discussion. 

Here are examples of some conversation starters that may help you effectively discuss the benefits of in-office fluoride therapy with your patients:

• “Fluoride varnish is one of the safest and most effective ways to protect teeth.” You can explain that professionally applied fluoride varnish is the most controlled way to apply fluoride—applied in a thin layer directly to the teeth, where it stays in place to strengthen enamel and help keep teeth healthy longer.

• “I use fluoride varnish on my own children’s teeth.” Sharing a personal connection builds trust. It shows that you believe in its safety and effectiveness on a personal level and are not trying to just “sell” another treatment.

• “Fluoride works by making teeth more resistant to bacteria and acid.” A statement like this simplifies the science behind fluoride varnish to a level your patients can understand.

• “We use a very small, precisely measured amount of fluoride to ensure you get just enough to protect your teeth.” Reassure patients that the varnish contains a controlled dose that’s applied only when and where it is needed.

• “There are 3 factors needed for cavities: Bacteria, Sugar and Time. Since we cannot completely eliminate bacteria or sugar, we need to protect you against cavities with a fluoride varnish.”Help patients understand how difficult it is to prevent caries without professional intervention. 

Patients have autonomy and have the right to make their own informed decisions about their dental care. It is important to acknowledge their concerns. Afterall, what they hear about fluoride in the media or on social media can sound very scary. As a dental professional, you should be there for your patients and help them understand the truth about fluoride. Work together to make sure the health of your patients’ smile is not sacrificed by bad information they read online. 

Lastly, remember that a comfortable and delicious fluoride varnish may be the last step to getting your patients to say “yes” to an in-office fluoride treatment. FluoroDose^® fluoride varnish is a great option. The award-winning formula stays on the teeth for 4 to 6 hours for optimum fluoride uptake, yet it goes on smooth and clear to maximize the patient experience. FluoroDose comes in 6 patient-approved flavors that help every application not only effective but also fun!

Have questions or want to learn more about Centrix? Call us at 800.235.5862 or contact your Centrix Account Manager.