To place fluoride varnish first open the package, these come in all shapes and sizes but generally they all come with some sort of application brush and the fluoride itself.

How to Apply Fluoride Varnish?

Make sure you get any extra varnish off the top, because a lot of times it separates. So, you'll need to make sure that you have a good and even mixture.

When using varnish, make sure that you read the instructions for each brand, because some say that you have to dry the teeth and some say that it's not necessary. I'm going to demonstrate how to draw out the teeth, if the brand does recommend that, and there are two ways.

How to Draw Out The Teeth?

You could use the air water syringe or the 2x2 gauze.

If you keep your fingers somewhere in the mouth, the patient won't close and then wet everything that you've just dried. Apply a small amount of varnish on your brush, and then starting at the margin and brush down, in three strokes.

If your patient has a lot of recession or sensitivity, you can also do a little rainbow stripe across the margin like so. Make sure as well that you have a fulcrum, so that you have stability to avoid getting the varnish on the patient's lip. Because the patients don't like the sticky feeling, also if you bend the end of the brush at the neck, it will make applying the varnish on the posterior teeth much easier.

When billing this code you want to use D1206 which is topical application of fluoride varnish, have the patient close slowly and the patient's saliva will help the varnish harden to the teeth.

Also remember to give and document the fluoride post-op instructions to your patient, which are you can eat and drink right after application.

There should be no brushing or flossing for four to six hours, and also avoid hot crunchy or sticky foods for four to six hours as well.