Fluoride Varnish Frequency — MFDS Part 1 MCQ

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EasyPaediatric Dentistry PrinciplesFluoride Varnish FrequencyMFDS Part 1

According to current SDCEP guidance, how often should sodium fluoride varnish be applied as enhanced prevention for a child aged 2 years or over who is assessed as being at increased risk of dental caries?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: B — Four applications per year

Explanation lettering: D = shown as A · E = shown as B · B = shown as D · A = shown as E

The correct answer is E: four applications per year. Current SDCEP guidance specifies this schedule for enhanced prevention in children aged 2 years or over who are at increased risk of caries. Two applications per year (A) is the standard preventive schedule for all children in this age group, rather than the enhanced schedule. One or three applications per year (B and C) do not meet the specified enhanced-prevention frequency. Fluoride varnish is preventive and should not be withheld until caries is detected, so D is incorrect. DBOH uses the broader wording “2 or more times a year” for children giving concern; specifying SDCEP in the stem removes the resulting UK-guidance ambiguity.

Reference: Scottish Dental Clinical Effectiveness Programme (SDCEP), Prevention and Management of Dental Caries in Children, Professionally-delivered interventions: Enhanced Prevention for children at increased risk of caries, updated 2025. https://www.childcaries.sdcep.org.uk/guidance/caries-prevention/professionally-delivered-interventions/