Primary Caries Prevention Intervention as Offered by Primary Care Providers, including Dentists

Percentage of children, 6 months - 20 years of age, who received a fluoride varnish application during the measurement period

This Physician Performance Measure (Measure) and related data specifications are owned and stewarded by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). CMS contracted (Contract HHSP23320095627WC; HHSP23337008T) with the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) to develop this electronic measure. NCQA is not responsible for any use of the Measure. NCQA makes no representations, warranties, or endorsement about the quality of any organization or physician that uses or reports performance measures and NCQA has no liability to anyone who relies on such measures or specifications. 

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Population 1: age 6 months - 5 years
Population 2: age 6-12
Population 3: age 13-20

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The literature reflects that fluoride varnish, when applied to the teeth of high-risk children, reduces, in conjunction with anticipatory guidance provided to the caregiver, the risk of the child developing caries (Weintraub et al., 2006).

ADA clinical recommendations for use of professionally applied or prescription-strength, home-use topical fluorides for caries prevention in patients at elevated risk of developing caries: 

- Younger Than 6 Years - 2.26 percent fluoride varnish at least every three to six months 

- 6-18 Years - 2.26 percent fluoride varnish at least every three to six months OR 1.23 percent fluoride (APF*) gel for four minutes at least every three to six months 

- Older Than 18 Years - 2.26 percent fluoride varnish at least every three to six months OR 1.23 percent fluoride (APF) gel for four minutes at least every three to six months (Weyant et al., 2013) 
 
The USPSTF [US Preventive Services Task Force] recommends that primary care clinicians apply fluoride varnish to the primary teeth of all infants and children starting at the age of primary tooth eruption. (B recommendation)

A higher score indicates better quality

Reference Type: CITATION

Reference Text: 'Weintraub, J. A., Ramos-Gomez, F., Jue, B., et al. (2006). Fluoride varnish efficacy in preventing early childhood caries. Journal of Dental Research, 85(2), 172-176.'

Reference Type: CITATION

Reference Text: 'Weyant, R. J., Tracy, S. L., Anselmo, T. T., et al. (2013). Topical fluoride for caries prevention: Executive summary of the updated clinical recommendations and supporting systematic review. Journal of the American Dental Association, 144(11), 1279-1291. doi: 10.14219/jada.archive.2013.0057'

Reference Type: CITATION

Reference Text: 'Moyer, V.A. on behalf of the US Preventive Services Task Force. (2014). Prevention of dental caries in children from birth through age 5 years: US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement. Pediatrics, 133(6), 1102-1111.'

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This eCQM is a patient-based measure.

This version of the eCQM uses QDM version 5.5. Please refer to the eCQI resource center (https://ecqi.healthit.gov/qdm) for more information on the QDM.

TBD

Children, 6 months - 20 years of age, with a visit during the measurement period

Equals Initial Population

Exclude patients who are in hospice care for any part of the measurement period.

Children who receive a fluoride varnish application during the measurement period

Not Applicable

None

For every patient evaluated by this measure also identify payer, race, ethnicity and sex

Not Applicable