The founder and first dean of the dental school attended by the leading practitioners that run our annual primary school dental clinic, Northwestern University, was Dr. G.V. Black. He wrote extensively about the use of silver nitrate back in the early 20th Century.  The use of silver nitrate fell out of favor in the mid 1950’s because it turned caries from brown to black. That it was a simple and effective treatment for juvenile caries was put aside in favor of drilling and filling in a formal dentist office.

Rediscovered about 10 years ago, FOBs use of the compound during the past six years has added to the database and finally the kissing cousin, silver diamine fluoride, has now received FDA approval.