The University of Utah School of Dentistry has partnered with Utah-based Ultradent to distribute up to 80,000 free fluoride varnish kits to community health centers across Utah. Fluoride varnish is a protective coating that is applied directly to teeth by health care professionals and protects teeth from forming cavities. It can even repair weak areas of teeth that are starting to form cavities.
“Partnerships like this one with Ultradent and are vital to achieving the School of Dentistry’s mission to care for the underserved,” said Wyatt R. Hume, DDS, PhD, Dean of the School of Dentistry. “We believe that good oral health is the gateway to good health overall. Providing oral care early will have lifetime benefits for children.”
The School of Dentistry is providing clinical training and resources to help health care workers effectively apply the fluoride varnish treatments. Children who receive fluoride care have much lower instances of cavities and tooth decay. They also enjoy better oral health through adulthood, studies show.
“Since the recent change in Utah law removing fluoride from the water supply, we know many Utah families will still choose to utilize fluoride to maintain their family’s oral health,” said Dirk Jeffs, President and CEO, Ultradent Products, Inc. “We hope these fluoride varnish treatments will help support those residents who are looking for alternative ways of accessing fluoride for their children and are grateful to the University of Utah School of Dentistry and health care professionals statewide for partnering with us to ensure these treatments reach those in need.”
Fluoride varnish kits should be available at local health centers this coming fall. Kits will also be distributed to participating Head Start centers.
About University of Utah School of Dentistry
Community service, innovative research, and integrated care are at the center of the University of Utah School of Dentistry’s (SOD) mission since its founding in 2012. Operating on a unique community-based oral health care system, the school operates eight clinics, and a rural mobile dental clinic, across Utah from St. George to Ogden, offering comprehensive care.
By expanding our reach into Utah’s communities, the SOD provides life-changing care while educating the best future dentists in the country. The school also conducts groundbreaking research into improving oral healthcare not just in Utah, but across the globe.
About Ultradent
Our mission at Ultradent is to Improve Oral Health Globally, and we know fulfilling that mission requires more than just providing state-of-the-art dental products. We firmly believe in environmental stewardship and have implemented a comprehensive set of initiatives to guide our actions and decisions as a company. We also continuously strive to make a positive difference in the lives of those around us by participating in humanitarian efforts locally, nationally, and internationally.
Media Contact:
Geoff Fattah
Director, Public Relations & Communications
School of Dentistry, University of Utah
Email: Geoff.Fattah@hsc.utah.edu