Pediatricians see too many kids who need treatment for dental disease but aren’t getting it. The recent introduction of silver diamine fluoride (SDF), an easily administered minimally invasive liquid medication, has the potential to equip physicians with a way to treat children's dental caries. Thanks to the assignment of a Category III current procedural terminology (CPT) code and newly available AAP guidance, SDF is coming to pediatric medical settings. Already in use by a small number of early-adopting oral health champions, the uptake of SDF by pediatricians intensifies the urgent need for deeper medical-dental integration (MDI).

In fall 2024, the AAP convened SDF is Coming to the Pediatric Medical Setting: Networking Now to Prepare for Success!  In 3-hour sessions held on November 21st and December 5th, the meeting brought together 34 like-minded professionals representing 24 organizations for in-depth discussions and resource exchange using the introduction of SDF as a catalyst to promote further action on MDI.

Learnings and action recommendations for supporting SDF implementation in pediatric practice settings from the SDF is Coming sessions are described in the linked Executive Summary and Full Report.