278 - Sodium Fluoride (NaF) Varnish and Silver-Diamine Fluoride (SDF) Knowledge and Use in Family Medicine and Pediatric Medicine Residency Programs

Purpose: To evaluate U.S. family medicine (FM) and pediatric medicine (PM) residency programs’ knowledge and use of sodium fluoride varnish (NaF) and Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF).

Methods:  82 residency program directors (PD)completed an online survey about NaF and SDF.  Variables included PD age, location, and program type.

Results:  90.1% of programs complete an oral exam at well child checks (WCC).  52.4% of  programs include NaF in didactics with 35.4% placing NaF at WCC. Age was a significant factor in knowledge and use of NaF, with 71.4% of PD aged 20-39 years reporting not learning about NaF in their didactics, compared to PD aged  40-59 years (29%) and those aged 60+ (0%) P< 0.001) . 88.1% of PD aged 20-39 years reported that NaF is not applied at WCC visits versus 45.2% those aged 40-59 years and those aged 60+ years (45.2% and 22.2% respectively; P< 0.001). 7 programs (8.6%) included SDF in didactics with 2 PD (PM) applying SDF at WCC. More PD aged 41-59 years and aged 60+ years answered 3+ questions correct about SDF (78.6%, 62.5% respectively) than younger PD (aged 20-39 years)(43.9%)(P=0.016).

Conclusion: Most FM and PM are completing an oral evaluation during WCC but most are not placing NaF or SDF at these visits. There was no statistically significant difference in the knowledge and application of NaF varnish or SDF between pediatric medicine and family medicine programs; where most programs are not learning about or applying SDF as it is not part of their residency curriculum. More education around NaF and SDF is needed in FM and PM residency programs. Limitations of this study include small sample size.