British report reconfirms importance of water fluoridation

A new report from the United Kingdom has reconfirmed the evidence that water fluoridation schemes are a safe and effective public health measure.

The report, by Public Health England, looked at key indicators of health in people in fluoridated and non-fluoridated areas.

It found:

• Up to 28 per cent fewer five-year-olds, and up to 21 per cent fewer 12-year-olds have tooth decay in fluoridated areas than non-fluoridated areas
• In fluoridated areas there are 45 per cent fewer hospital admissions of children aged one to four for dental caries than in non-fluoridated areas
• There was evidence that the rate of kidney stones was lower in fluoridated areas than non-fluoridated areas.

The report also found no evidence of a difference, between fluoridated and non-fluoridated areas, in the rates of hip fractures, Down's syndrome, bladder cancer, or cancer.

The report said: "Dental caries (tooth decay) is a significant public health problem in England. Sizeable inequalities of caries exist between affluent and deprived communities, and it is a common cause of hospital admissions in children.

"Fluroide is a naturally occurring mineral found in water in varying amounts. It is also present in some food.

"During the early twentieth century, lower levels of tooth decay were found to be associated with certain fluoride levels in drinking water," the report said.

DHSV Chief Executive Officer, Dr Deborah Cole, welcomed the findings.

"This report reconfirms what we have known for years - that water fluoridation programs have significant health benefits for our community," she said.

"The World Health Organisation acknowledges that fluoride is used to combat dental caries (tooth decay), particularly in areas of high sugar intake.

"I'm proud that Victoria is a leader in the area of water fluoridation, and that 90 per cent of Victorians have access to fluoridated water," said Dr Cole.

Her sentiment was echoed by the British Dental Association's Scientific Adviser, Professor Damien Walmsley, who said: "The report is a timely reminder of the significant role that fluoridation plays in reducing tooth decay which remains a significant health problem in England."