Fluoride and Silver Diamine Fluoride in Public Oral Health: Evidence, Policy, and Implementation Challenges

Fluoride-based interventions remain central to contemporary caries prevention and minimally invasive caries management. Community water fluoridation, topical fluoride applications, high-fluoride products, and silver diamine fluoride (SDF) are supported by substantial evidence, although important questions remain regarding their comparative effectiveness, long-term outcomes, safety, and optimal use across different populations and care settings. Variations in professional practice, patient and caregiver acceptance, access to treatment, regulatory environments, and public policy continue to influence the implementation and impact of these interventions. Further research is needed to address gaps in the evidence and support the translation of fluoride-based care into safe, acceptable, effective, and equitable oral healthcare.This Research Topic aims to examine the clinical, behavioral, translational, economic, and policy dimensions of fluoride and SDF as preventive and therapeutic interventions. It seeks to evaluate their effectiveness, indications, treatment protocols, adverse effects, risk–benefit profiles, and effects on oral health-related quality of life. The Research Topic also aims to investigate patient-, parent-, caregiver-, and professional perspectives; assess decision-making and treatment acceptance; and explore how guidelines, reimbursement systems, regulation, and implementation strategies influence the delivery of fluoride-based care. Studies evaluating the role of digital health and artificial intelligence in clinical decision-making, treatment monitoring, and population-level planning are also encouraged where directly relevant to fluoride or SDF interventions.The scope of this Research Topic is limited to fluoride and SDF interventions across clinical practice, community oral healthcare, public health, and policy, including their application in diverse and underserved populations. To gather further insights into the evidence, policy, and implementation of fluoride-based care, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:• Clinical effectiveness and long-term outcomes of fluoride and SDF interventions• Comparative effectiveness of fluoride modalities for caries prevention and management• Clinical indications, treatment protocols, safety, adverse effects, and risk–benefit assessment• Patient-, parent-, and caregiver-centred outcomes, including acceptance, decision-making, communication, and quality of life• Professional knowledge, attitudes, prescribing practices, and clinical decision-making• Economic evaluations, cost-effectiveness, and value-based care• National and international guidelines, regulatory frameworks, and reimbursement policies• Implementation of fluoride and SDF in pediatric, community, primary, special care, and geriatric dentistry• Equity, access, and approaches for vulnerable or underserved populations• Digital health and artificial intelligence supporting clinical decision-making or monitoring• Translation of evidence into clinical practice and public oral health policyWe welcome original research articles, clinical studies, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, qualitative and mixed-methods research, implementation studies, and policy analyses that advance the safe, evidence-based, and equitable use of fluoride and SDF in modern oral healthcare. Topic editors: Shamimul Hasan, Neeraj Gugnani, MK Sunil Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/84591/fluoride-and-silver-diamine-fluoride-in-public-oral-health-evidence-policy-and-implementation-challenges