HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO BEGIN OFFERING SILVER DIAMINE FLUORIDE
JACKSON, Tenn. – The Jackson-Madison County Regional Health Department will begin
offering silver diamine fluoride (SDF) this week to students in the Jackson-Madison County
School System participating in the School Based Dental Prevention Program.
Silver diamine fluoride is a liquid placed on a cavity that kills bacteria and strengthens that
part of the tooth. SDF hardens the cavity to keep it from getting bigger, allowing the child
time to get treatment at the dentist without the cavity growing. SDF can also help with pain
related to the cavity.
SDF will change the color of the cavity from brown to black, but will not stain parts of the
tooth that are not decayed. SDF will only be placed on back teeth.
SDF is provided at no cost to students. A parent or guardian must sign and complete a form
for their student to be eligible to participate.
“The school based dental prevention program is excited to offer the SDF treatment to help
students who are dealing with cavities,” Kristin Bodiford, RDH, said. “This service has been
implemented in other counties within the state of Tennessee with much success.”
Dental staff will begin offering SDF at Pope Elementary School on Wednesday, Oct. 23.
They have already started screening and applying sealants at the school.
Dental hygienists with the Jackson-Madison County Regional Health Department screen and
apply sealants for approximately 2,400 students in the Jackson-Madison County School
System each year. Sealants help prevent tooth decay.
Dental hygienists will also see students at Alexander Elementary, Isaac Lane Elementary,
Lincoln Elementary, Northeast Middle, Pope Elementary and South Elementary during the
2019-2020 academic year.
Call our dental staff at 731-217-7766 if you have questions about silver diamine fluoride.
