Water fluoridation continues to get a clean bill of health after 50 years
In parallel, the population has benefited from improved oral health services, fluoridated toothpastes, and better nutrition. As a consequence, a decision was made, after scientific review, to reduce the level of fluoride in the water supply, as in other countries. This is in recognition of these other sources of fluoride and to minimise the flecking of teeth, which can occur when small children eat fluoridated toothpaste while living in fluoride areas.
The benefits of fluoridation are not inconsiderable in terms of costs. Consequent improvements in oral health benefit the health service by reducing the cost burden of dental disease and its management, and by reducing absenteeism at work/school.
Dental disease is common and preventable, yet the country invests significant amounts of money in dealing with its effects. Thus improved oral health has allowed scarce health service resources to be directed towards acute, life-threatening conditions.
No other health-promoting measure has been exposed to such scrutiny and been given an ongoing, clean bill of health. Water fluoridation has been recognised by the US Cancer Society, and the Royal College of Physicians (both here in Ireland and in the UK), as being both safe and effective. It is without side effects, as decades of vigilance have demonstrated.
The most recently published expert peer-reviewed analysis by the Royal Society of New Zealand finds “there are no adverse effects of any significance arising from fluoridation at the levels used in New Zealand” (ie, levels higher than in Ireland). “In particular, no effects on brain development, cancer risk or metabolic risk have been substantiated”. The American Dental Association “unreservedly endorses the fluoridation of community water supplies as safe, effective and necessary in preventing tooth decay”.
As parents, and as oral healthcare professionals, we acknowledge these endorsements and advocate one of the few truly cost-effective public health measures this country has known, for the good of all, children and adults.
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