Why do dentists support water fluoridation?
Water fluoridation is recognised worldwide as a safe and effective way of reducing the incidence of dental decay. The World Health Organisation backs this important public health measure. In the UK an alliance of 37 professional and health bodies, including the British Dental Association and the British Medical Association have joined together to form the National Alliance for Equity in Dental Health (NAEDH) to press for water supplies to be fluoridated where this has the support of local communities. Dental decay is a disease closely linked to social deprivation. By adjusting the fluoride content of water supplies to the optimum level of 1 part per million, the benefit of fluoride reaches the whole community including people on low income for whom buying a toothbrush and toothpaste may be a relatively low priority. To make an immediate impact on areas of social deprivation, NAEDH want to see water fluoridation reaching 25% of the UKs population living in the main connurbations.
