Utilization of Silver Diamine Fluoride by Dentists in the United States: A Dental Claims Review

Abstract

Purpose: A Current Dental Terminology (CDT) code, D1354, for silver diamine fluoride was made effective on January 1, 2016. The purpose of this study was to investigate the utilization of silver diamine fluoride (SDF) by pediatric dentists (PDs) and general dentists (GDs) in the United States. Methods: Data were obtained from a commercial dental insurance claims warehouse in the United States. Deidentified data for CDT code D1354 were collected from January 2016 to July 2019. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used. Results: A total of 321,726 D1354 claims were found. Data showed that SDF use measured by average monthly claims, unique number of dentists, and percent of paid claims increased each year. Patients zero to nine years old were the most likely to receive SDF treatment. SDF was significantly more likely to be placed on posterior teeth and in children zero to eight years old (P<0.001). PDs were more likely than GDs to submit claims for SDF in children (P<0.001). Conclusions: Silver diamine fluoride use is increasing, especially in patients age zero to nine years. Pediatric dentists are more likely to use SDF in children than general dentists. Posterior teeth receive the majority of SDF treatment.