Water Fluoridation

• Fluoride occurs naturally in all water supplies. At the optimum level it reduces tooth decay. Fluoride slows down the demineralisation of enamel and encourages the remineralisation of enamel.
• Summary of benefits of water fluoridation:

  • Less decay
  • More caries free children
  • Fewer fillings
  • Fewer extractions
  • Reduces health inequalities (McGrady et al 2012) Newcastle v Manchester
  • Fewer general aesthetics
  • Keep own teeth longer
  • No behaviour change is needed
  • Cost effective: approx average cost (2014) 50p per child
• Anti-fluoridation views - all 3 types of argument may be deployed (often interchangeably):

  • Doesn't work
  • Causes harm (most diseases linked)
  • Is "mass poisoning"/against individual choice

  
• Alternative methods of delivering fluoride:

  • Fluoride varnish
  • Supervised tooth brushing programmes
  • Fluoride tablets
  • Fluoridated salt
  • Fluoridated milk
• The potential impact upon the population of water fluoridation schemes:

  • Water fluoridation is clinically proven to improve oral health and reduce oral health inequalities
  • It has a protective effect which reduces the impact of a high sugar diet or poor oral hygiene
  • Around 10% of the population of England currently receive fluoridated water
  • In the most deprived areas fluoridation of water has been shown to reduce tooth decay in 5-year-olds by 1/3