Recommendations on F-use

Recommendations on F-use

Subsequent to the 2006s Global Consultation, a follow-on conference was jointly convened by the WHO, FDI, IADR and the Chinese Stomatological Association (CSA) in September 2007 in Beijing, China. Evidence based recommendations on fluoride use follow from the Beijing declaration:
- Fluoride toothpaste remains the most widespread and significant form of fluoride used globally and the most rigorously evaluated vehicle for fluoride use.
- The effectiveness of fluoride toothpaste has been assessed since the 1940's in over one hundred clinical trials and the anti-tooth decay (anti-caries) efficacy of fluoride toothpaste has been confirmed.
- Fluoride toothpaste is safe to use irrespective of low, normal or high fluoride exposure from other sources.
- Promoting the use of effective fluoride toothpaste twice a day is strongly recommended.
- Toothbrushing with a pea-size amount of fluoride toothpaste in young children up to the age of 6 years should be supervised by responsible adults to ensure that large quantities of toothpaste are not swallowed.
- Specific recommendations for the use of fluoride toothpaste in very young children should follow guidelines from respective national authority.
- Governmental institutions promoting oral health and general health, the medical and dental professions, the educational system (e.g. health promotion in schools) and industry should take action to ensure that populations know the benefit of regular use of fluoride toothpaste and that fluoride toothpaste is made accessible and affordable.
- Exposure to appropriate fluoride, in particular through fluoride toothpaste, will improve quality of life and enhance the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals by reducing the high dental disease burden of entire populations, especially children.