As we start to settle into the "schools in" routine, you may be finding Oral Health Coalition flyers in your child's backpack.  Ruopp & Ruopp DDS has once again joined with the Oral Health Coalition to provide free dental screenings and fluoride varnish treatments to our local school children.  These varnishes are the same type we use in our office at your kiddo's routine profession cleaning appointments.  As you may know, we recommend a professional fluoride treatment every six months for most childen.  When you elect for your child to participate in the screening & varnish this fall, another varnish will be provided by the Dental Health Coalition next Spring as well. 

But is fluoride at school and our office too much of a good thing?  Studies suggest a fluoride varnish application 3-4 times a year works best at preventing cavities, especially when maintained over a two year period.  Ideally, these applications are equa-distance apart, but having them more frequently (on occasion) is not cause for concern.  If your child only receives a fluoride varnish at the dentist or at school, there would typically no cause for concern.  However, we would not recommend the treatment more than once weekly.

Our professional dental staff (including Dr. Jan & Pat) will be in several local schools this month, so you may see us out & about!  We love helping the community and keeping the little chompers in Southeast Missouri and surrounding areas healthy!

P.S. Dr. Jan is actually President of Oral Health Coalition and has been since it's inception seven years ago, so you will notice her signature on the information forms you receive.