UK - Fluoridating water 'can prevent tooth decay in children'

Fluoridating water 'can prevent tooth decay in children'
By Kate Devlin, Medical Correspondent
Last Updated: 2:10PM GMT 01 Jan 2009
Adding Fluoride to water is the best way to prevent tooth decay in children and politicians should do more to overcome opposition to the measure, a leading medical journal has advised. Using fluoride daily is the most "cost effective" and "evidence based" way to prevent cavities and gum disease, but requires political will to implement, according to an editorial in the Lancet.
Campaigners claim that the chemical has been linked to illnesses including brittle bone disease and cancer.
But dentists believe that it could cuts rates of tooth decay, especially in deprived areas and among children.
Fluoride is currently added to about 10 per cent of Britain's water supply, mainly in the West Midlands and the North East of England.
Alan Johnson, the Health Secretary, has indicated that he is in favour of using increasing fluoride more widely.
"The daily use of fluoride is the most cost-effective, evidence-based approach to reduce dental decay," according to the Lancet.
It warns that tooth decay can negatively affect a child's development, including their ability to eat, sleep and concentrate in school.
Tooth pain is one of the most common reasons given for school absenteeism in countries like Britain, it adds.
Providing a daily dose could be achieved through fluoridating the water supply, but that this depends on "political will and community acceptance", it warns.
The editorial concludes: "Professionally, health workers, including physicians, nurses, paediatricians and pharmacists can all deliver prevention messages about the use of fluoride and the risk factors for oral disease. Politically, commitment is needed to integrate oral disease prevention into ... public-health systems. Good oral health should be everybody's business."
Promoting the use of fluoride toothpaste can also be effective, according to the journal.
A spokesman for the National Pure Water Association, which campaigns against the use of fluoride in tap water, said that the chemical was "dangerous".
"Fluoride in water doesn't work because it is in quantities too small to protect teeth yet large enough to be dangerous. Studies have shown it has been linked to cancer," he said.
"It is also a medication, and should be taken on an individual basis and not through the water supply."
Earlier this year Barry Cockcroft, the chief dental officer for England, suggested that almost half of Britain's water supply could be fluoridated, to improve dental health in deprived areas.
He told Dental Tribune magazine: "We only need to fluoridate 40 per cent of the country. Greater Manchester is currently considering it and there are many other areas that are looking at it."
Ministers are currently awaiting the results of a public consultation by South Central strategic health authority, which is considering adding fluoride to the drinking water in Southampton and south west Hampshire.
That review is not due to report until later this year but could act as a spur to other areas to consider fluoridation.
The Department of Health said that water companies will only begin fluoridation following consultations with local people.
A spokesperson added: "Dental decay is far worse in poorer communities than affluent ones.
"Fluoridation reduces these inequalities.
"Academic studies continue to show that fluoridation is safe and cost effective.
"Over 200 million people drink fluoridated water in America, some now for over 60 years, with no ill effects on their health."