A String around Your Finger: Do We Really Need to Floss?

A History and Update of Fluoride Dentifrices

Write Review

Introduction

A String around Your Finger: Do We Really Need to Floss? will review current literature on the effectiveness of flossing and other interdental cleaning methods. In light of emerging evidence regarding limited evidence on the effectiveness of flossing to reduce caries rates and treat periodontitis, this course seeks to identify other methods of interdental cleaning that are focused on optimal delivery of care for patients based upon their underlying risks and oral health conditions. This course will examine the 2011 Cochrane systematic review upon which the government based its decision to omit the recommendation to floss from the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the 2015 European Federation of Periodontology’s publication evaluating the evidence for efficacy of interdental cleaning methods in patients with periodontitis, as well as the broader literature and scientific rationale behind flossing and interdental cleaning. Finally, this course will evaluate the utility of interdental cleaning methods in patients with high caries risk, periodontal health, gingivitis, and periodontitis.

Conflict of Interest Disclosure Statement

Dr. Geisinger has been or is currently a co-investigator and/or principal investigator on research funded entirely or in part by The Procter & Gamble Company. All funds were used for research endeavors and not for personal gain.
Dr. Valiquette reports no conflicts of interest associated with this course. She has no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Disclaimers:

P&G is providing these resource materials to dental professionals. We do not own this content nor are we responsible for any material herein.
Participants must always be aware of the hazards of using limited knowledge in integrating new techniques or procedures into their practice. Only sound evidence-based dentistry should be used in patient therapy.

Note: Registration is required to take test.

Printing course PDF's is temporarily unavailable using the Google Chrome browser. Please open in an alternate browser (e.g., Safari, Edge) for printing.

Educators only! Use this feature to create assignments for your students.

CREATE ASSIGNMENT

Download PDF

TAKE COURSE NOW

SUBMISSION INFORMATION

Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) Submission
For credit transfers to appear in your AGD account in real time, make sure to add your AGD membership number in the field provided on the “Share Your Test Score” page.

CE Broker
For all states that use CE Broker for licensure, “proof of completions” are electronically reported the first of every month. If a course was taken in November, the “proof of completion” will be submitted the beginning of December.

RELATED COURSES

ADA CERP Recognized Provider

The Procter & Gamble Company is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider.

ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry.

Concerns or complaints about a dental CE provider may be directed to the provider or to ADA CERP at:
https://www.ada.org/en/ccepr/ada-cerp-recognition/complaints

Approved PACE Program Provider

THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY

Nationally Approved PACE Program Provider for FAGD/MAGD credit.

Approval does not imply acceptance by any regulatory authority or AGD endorsement.

8/1/2021 to 7/31/2027

Provider ID# 211886

AADH Approved Program Provider

Procter & Gamble is designated as an approved Provider by the American Academy of Dental Hygiene, Inc. #AADHPGC (January 1, 2022-December 31, 2023). Approval does not imply acceptance by a state or provincial Board of Dentistry. Licensee should maintain this document in the event of an audit.

Rate this Course