Frame shape

School fluoride varnish programme

Purple line decor

What is fluoride varnish?

Fluoride varnish is a sticky protective coating which is easily painted onto teeth and tastes nice to children.

This coating releases fluoride which strengthens teeth, helps prevent tooth decay and can also stop any early stages of decay.

The fluoride coating contains ethanol, which is a form of alcohol used in medicine but is not intoxicating. It’s medicinal use, in the small amounts used in fluoride varnish has been approved by the Islamic Shari’ah Council. We, or your school, can provide you a copy of this approval on request.

Fluoride varnish is vegetarian and not vegan .

What is the school fluoride varnish programme?

The Fluoride Varnish programme is provided in participating nurseries and schools to young children and aims to help prevent tooth decay, which is still very common in Tower Hamlets. 

These applications in nursery and school are in addition to fluoride varnish received at the dentist and safely give added protection to your child’s teeth.

How do we apply fluoride varnish?

  • We will ask you to consent for your child to be included in our fluoride varnish programme – you will receive information from your child’s school to complete and return your consent via an online or paper form.
  • We will check it is safe to apply fluoride varnish to your child and if we are not able to apply the coating for any reason, we will let you know.
  • The check we do is not a full dental check up but if we notice any problems we will write to you to let you know
  • This is all done at your child’s school, during the school day
  • Our team of dental therapists apply the fluoride varnish to your child’s teeth
  • Our equipment is single-use only – we use new equipment and gloves for each child
  • Most children are happy with the application and want to join in, but if your child is unhappy or refusing the varnish we will stop immediately

Children should eat breakfast on the day as normal.

Expression shape 17

What happens after the coating is applied?

  • The school will ensure that your child has nothing to eat or drink for 30 minutes after the coating is applied to allow the varnish to have the best effect.
  • Your child’s teeth may have a light yellow colour for the rest of the day - this is nothing to worry about and they will soon return to their normal colour
  • The coating disappears by the next day

Please do not brush your child’s teeth on the evening they have the coating applied.

Teen and case worker
blue decor 2

If you have any questions regarding the fluoride coating or the school visit, please

Contact us

© Copyright 2026 Barnardo'sWeb Design By Toolkit Websites