Impact of Silver Diamine Fluoride on Oral Health Related Quality of Life (Ohrqol)-A Literature Review

Introduction: Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) has emerged as an effective agent for arresting and preventing caries. It offers an immediate inhibition of caries process thereby reducing pain and suffering in those who lack access to quick restorative /prosthetic rehabilitation. It may impact oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL).

Aim: This literature review is aimed at reviewing the SDF versus other standard care therapies and exploring their impact on OHRQoL.

Methodology: Literature was searched by two independent reviewers to recognise the English language papers in the four most commonly used databases: Medline, PubMed, Embase, and Scopus. Search included 11 randomised controlled trials that used SDF as an intervention either alone or with comparative agent/treatment for caries arrest and studies that considered oral health-related quality of life as an associating factor.

Results: Two studies used application of SDF solution or placebo as intervention, few adopted use of comparator agent or/and alternative treatment and some adopted single sample pre-post designs with isolated SDF use. Different versions of Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS) was used by most studies for assessment of oral health-related quality of life. While two studies (Ruff et al, Hiremath et al) used the Child Oral Health Impact Profile (COHIP).

Conclusion: SDF application may increase the quality of life of children as perceived by their parents and SDF staining is not a concern for both of them.