17 CAR Part 48 — Rules Pertaining to Fluoride Varnish

Chapter XI

Subchapter A

Subpart 1

17 CAR § 48-101 Purpose {#sec-17-car-48-101 omnilex-key=us-ar-regs-official--title-17-part-48--17 CAR § 48-101}

17 CAR § 48-101. Purpose.

To enhance the dental health of the children of Arkansas by promulgating rules providing for the application of fluoride varnish by physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals who have completed training on dental caries risk assessment and fluoride varnish application.

17 CAR § 48-102 Definitions {#sec-17-car-48-102 omnilex-key=us-ar-regs-official--title-17-part-48--17 CAR § 48-102}

17 CAR § 48-102. Definitions.

For the purposes of this part, the following words and phrases when used herein shall be construed as follows:

(1) “Child” means an individual under the age of nineteen (19);

(2) “Department” means the Department of Health;

(3) “Fluoride varnish” means a topical resin containing fluoride that is:

(A) Thinly applied to the tooth surface; and

(B) Used as a preventive treatment for caries;

(4) “Office of Oral Health” means the Office of Oral Health of the Department of Health; and

(5) “Physician supervision” means overseeing the activities of and accepting responsibility for the medical services rendered by the nurse or other licensed healthcare professional.

17 CAR § 48-103 Specific requirements {#sec-17-car-48-103 omnilex-key=us-ar-regs-official--title-17-part-48--17 CAR § 48-103}

17 CAR § 48-103. Specific requirements.

(a) The application of fluoride varnish by the physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals is appropriate for patients with significant risk of dental caries who are unable to establish a dental home.

(b) Physicians should encourage that every child have a dental home established by one (1) year of age.

(c) Collaborative relationships with local dentists should be established to optimize the availability of a dental home.

(d)(1) The Office of Oral Health shall approve training courses on dental caries risk assessment and fluoride varnish application.

(2) It shall:

(A) Maintain a list of approved programs; and

(B) Publish the list on the Department of Health website.

(e) Courses approved by the Office of Oral Health will contain, at a minimum, information relating to:

(1) The etiology of early childhood caries (ECC);

(2) How to assess a child's risk of developing ECC;

(3) How to perform an appropriate oral examination on small children;

(4) How to recognize the various stages of ECC;

(5) The effects, sources, benefits, and safe use of fluoride;

(6) The benefits and indications for fluoride varnish;

(7) How to apply fluoride varnish;

(8) Strategies for a successful office-based fluoride varnish program;

(9) How to advise parents on caries prevention; and

(10) Describing when to arrange a dental referral.

(f) A minimum of one (1) hour of continuing medical education shall be completed for any professional applying fluoride varnish.

(g) The physician will keep a certificate of completion on file.

(h) The Office of Oral Health will keep appropriate records.