How often is fluoride varnish recommended for high-risk preschoolers?

• A. Every 12 months
• B. Usually every 3–6 months, depending on risk; many guidelines propose twice yearly
• C. Every 2 weeks
• D. Only at dental visits

Answer: (C)

Fluoride varnish is used to protect enamel by delivering fluoride to the surface to promote remineralization and prevent new decay, and the frequency should match the child’s level of caries risk. For preschoolers at high risk, the protective effect needs to be renewed regularly, not just once. The typical approach is to apply varnish every 3 to 6 months, with many guidelines using twice yearly as a practical baseline and more frequent applications if risk remains elevated or new caries develop.

Saying it should be done every 2 weeks isn’t consistent with how varnish works and is not a realistic or necessary interval, since the benefits of a varnish application extend over months. And applying only at dental visits is about setting rather than timing; the key idea is to maintain a preventive schedule that corresponds to risk, rather than a single annual or visit-based trigger.