Fluoride Treatment and Fissure Sealants in Dubai
Fluoride varnish and fissure sealants are the two preventive treatments with the strongest evidence in children's dentistry. Fluoride strengthens enamel against acid; a sealant fills the deep grooves on back teeth where decay starts. At Smart Care Polyclinic in Deira, a child's check-up, clean and fluoride is AED 149 in the back-to-school package.
For: children and teenagers; adults with high decay risk
Takes: a few minutes each, no drilling
Price: kids' check-up, clean and fluoride AED 149
What it is
Fluoride varnish is painted onto the teeth and sets on contact. It strengthens the enamel against the acid that causes decay. A Cochrane review of 22 trials covering 12,455 children found it reduced decayed, missing and filled tooth surfaces by 43% in permanent teeth and 37% in baby teeth compared with no varnish, on moderate-quality evidence.1 Professionally applied fluoride is recommended by the American Dental Association, with the interval set by the child's own risk.2
A fissure sealant is a thin resin coating flowed into the grooves of a back tooth. Those grooves are where most childhood decay begins, because a toothbrush bristle cannot reach the bottom of them. In the Cochrane review of 38 trials and 7,924 children, sealing first permanent molars cut decay sharply at two years: where 16% of unsealed surfaces decayed, about 5% of sealed ones did.3 There is no drilling and no injection — the tooth is cleaned, dried, the sealant is applied and set with a light.
When each is used
Fluoride varnish is applied at check-ups from the first teeth onwards, usually twice a year, more often for children with early decay, a sugary diet or braces.
Sealants are placed on the first adult molars soon after they come through at around age six, and on the second molars at around twelve, while the grooves are still clean. They are checked at each visit and topped up if a piece has worn away.
Neither replaces brushing. They work alongside brushing twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and keeping sugary drinks to mealtimes — which is what the advice at the end of a child's visit is about.
Is fluoride safe?
Professionally applied varnish is used routinely in children's dentistry worldwide. The amount applied at a visit is small and controlled, and it sets on the tooth rather than being swallowed. Tell the dentist about any fluoride supplements or high-fluoride toothpaste the child uses so the whole picture is considered.
Prices at Smart Care, Deira
Back to school: kids' cleaning + fluoride
A dental clean and a professional fluoride treatment for children, in one visit before the school year starts.
AED 149 per child
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The consultation is free. Prices are per the unit shown and are confirmed in writing at your examination before treatment starts. See all dental prices →
Questions patients ask
Soon after the first adult molars come through, at around six, and again for the second molars at around twelve. The grooves need to be clean and free of decay at the time, which is why early check-ups matter.
Several years, and they are checked at every visit. A worn or chipped sealant is simply topped up. The Cochrane review found the protective effect was maintained at four years, though the evidence at that point was thinner.
A check-up, a gentle scale and polish, fluoride varnish applied by the dentist and brushing advice aimed at the child, in about thirty minutes. If the dentist recommends sealants, that is quoted separately before anything is done.
This guide is general information about a treatment, not advice about your teeth. Which option suits you depends on the tooth, your bite, your gums and what you want long term — all of which the dentist assesses at your free consultation before anything is agreed.
References
- Marinho VC, Worthington HV, Walsh T, Clarkson JE. Fluoride varnishes for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2013;2013(7):CD002279. PMID 23846772. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD002279.pub2A Cochrane review of 22 trials and 12,455 children: fluoride varnish reduced decayed surfaces by 43% in permanent teeth and 37% in baby teeth against no varnish, on moderate-quality evidence.
- Weyant RJ, Tracy SL, Anselmo TT, Beltran-Aguilar ED, et al.. Topical fluoride for caries prevention: executive summary of the updated clinical recommendations and supporting systematic review. Journal of the American Dental Association. 2013;144(11):1279-91. PMID 24177407. doi:10.14219/jada.archive.2013.0057The American Dental Association recommendation on professionally applied topical fluoride, including which children benefit and how often it should be applied.
- Ahovuo-Saloranta A, Forss H, Walsh T, et al.. Pit and fissure sealants for preventing dental decay in permanent teeth. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2017;2017(7):CD001830. PMID 28759120. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD001830.pub5Cochrane review, 38 trials and 7,924 children: resin sealants on first permanent molars cut decay at two years (OR 0.12); where 16% of unsealed surfaces decayed, about 5% of sealed ones did. Moderate-quality evidence.
Sources are listed for the specific statements they support. They are published research and guidance, not a substitute for a consultation — what applies to you is decided by a doctor who has assessed you.