The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force finalized its recommendations on preventive interventions in non-dental primary care settings in people without symptoms.
The task force had been working to determine whether primary care clinicians can complement the work of dental professionals. In May, the taskforce concluded there is not enough evidence to recommend or oppose preventive interventions in primary care for people above the age of 5 who do not have symptoms.
In its final recommendations, released Nov. 7, the group said more research is needed to recommend for or against these interventions.
Li Li, MD, PhD, a member of the task force, said in a Nov. 7 news release that primary care providers should use judgment when deciding whether to perform preventive interventions related to oral health. He added that future research should include populations that are most affected by oral health conditions as well as factors that contribute to oral health disparities.