Assessment of Parental Perception and Clinical Efficacy of Silver Diamine Fluoride Application in Primary Dentition: A Prospective Study

Background: Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is a promising, cost-effective treatment for caries arrest. Despite its clinical efficacy, concerns regarding tooth discolouration and limited data on parental acceptance in India highlight the need for further research. Aim: To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of 38% SDF in arresting caries in primary teeth and assess parental perceptions of the treatment post-application. Methodology: A non-randomized, prospective, single-arm clinical study was conducted on 107 children aged 1–10 years with at least one carious lesion (ICDAS scores 3–6) in primary dentition. SDF application was done at baseline and during follow-up evaluations, which were done at 2 weeks and 3 months. A questionnaire assessed parental perceptions, including time efficiency, comfort, pain, taste, and satisfaction post-application. Clinical outcomes, including lesion colour, texture, and pain, were evaluated by an independent dentist. Chi square test was used to assess the association between parental perception and variables like age, gender and tooth position.Results: Parental satisfaction was high, with 71% rating the treatment as comfortable and 48.5% finding the taste acceptable. Clinical outcomes revealed significant improvements in lesion texture, with 93.4% of lesions becoming hard after 3 months. Lesion colour transitioned predominantly to black (93.4%), indicating remineralization. Pain and sensitivity significantly decreased over time, and most (86%) reported no pain during treatment. Conclusion: These findings demonstrated Silver Diamine Fluoride effectiveness in reducing pain and enhancing lesion remineralization. Given the study's findings, integrating SDF therapy into routine pediatric dental care can significantly improve caries management, particularly in underserved communities.