Proceedings from Workshop on Effective Use of Fluoride in Asia

The International and American Associations for Dental Research (IADR/AADR) have published the proceedings from the Workshop on Effective Use of Fluoride in Asia, which took place March 22-24, 2011, in Phan-Nga, Thailand. This meeting was hosted by the Dental Association of Thailand, and co-hosted by IADR, FDI and the World Health Organization (WHO). The proceedings are published in the February issues of the IADR/AADR Advances in Dental Research, an E-supplement to the Journal of Dental Research.

The Workshop brought together leaders in the field of dental public health and included presentations on topics such as the public health burden of dental caries and the practical implications of the effective use of fluoride for disease prevention. The program also provided opportunities for shared experiences of fluoride administration in Asia, with specific emphasis on water, salt and milk fluoridation, varnishes, mouth rinses and fluoridated toothpaste.

A special session was held to review fluoride administration strategies, specifically, the community approach, professionally administered fluorides and the efficacy of self-administered fluorides. The workshop ended with recommendations on strengthening the prevention of dental caries in Asia through the effective use of fluoride as emphasized by representatives of IADR, FDI and WHO.

"IADR is honored to have been a co-host of the Workshop on Effective Use of Fluoride in Asia," said IADR President E. Dianne Rekow. "The information that was presented at the workshop helped equip attendees with an understanding of modern principles in dental caries prevention with an emphasis on the mechanisms and importance of use of fluoride in public health."