Children "swish and spit" for one minute each week in participating Virginia schools.
School children across Virginia are eligible to participate in a weekly topical fluoride mouthrinse program. Counties without access to community water fluoridation are a priority for the mouthrinse program. Other factors considered are decay rates among children and socio-economic issues. Currently there are approximately 50,000 children in 57 counties statewide participating in the program. Studies indicate up to a 15 percent reduction in tooth decay for children participating during elementary school years in fluoride mouthrinse programs.
The Division of Dental Health supports the School Fluoride Mouthrinse Program through the Maternal and Child Health Block Grant and provides:
Funding for the fluoride mouthrinse supplies: A pre-measured and pre-packaged cup of flavored fluoride rinse is used to provide a safe and efficient mouthrinse. The pre-mixed fluoride needed for the school year (28 weeks) is estimated to cost $2.35 per student. The convenient pre-mixed fluoride is easy to distribute to the children.
Training in implementing a new school mouthrinse program. The program requires parental permission for each child and on-site training by dental staff. Training is given to teachers and children utilizing guidelines developed by the Division of Dental Health.
Brochures and educational information regarding the fluoride mouthrinse program. Educational material regarding topical fluoride is available to all parents and teachers participating in the program. The school fluoride mouthrinse program can be combined with other oral hygiene education. Click on publications/materials for other brochures available through the Division of Dental Health.
