Fluoridation cessation: More science from Alberta

British Dental Journal

Water fluoridation is a public health measure to reduce levels of dental caries in populations. A report of the recently completed CATFISH study has been published. This was the first UK evaluation of fluoridation introduction for many years; it was carefully designed and executed and is welcomed. The purpose of this article is to highlight the 180-page report of the study and comment on some aspects to aid interpretation of the findings. Significant features were that two cohorts, from birth and from five years, were followed for six years in a fluoridated and a non-fluoridated area, and clinical and cost analyses were reported. Areas of the report which deserve comment are: a) interruption of fluoridation for a year for half the children in the intervention area and its effect; b) clinical results were reported as absolute reduction in caries prevalence, with the preventive fraction for caries severity downplayed; c) the power of the study was diminished by an unexpected lower car...

Journal of epidemiology and community health, 2016

Cessation of community water fluoridation (CWF) appears to be occurring with increasing frequency in some regions. Our objective was to comprehensively review published research on the impact of CWF cessation on dental caries. We searched 13 multidisciplinary databases. Results were synthesised qualitatively and quantitatively. We identified 15 instances of CWF cessation ('intervention') in 13 countries, which covered a broad time frame (1956-2003) and diverse geographical and political/economic contexts. Overall, results were mixed, but pointed more to an increase in caries postcessation than otherwise. For example, of the 9 studies with at least moderate methodological quality based on criteria we developed for this review, 5 showed an increase in caries postcessation. 3 studies did not show an increase in caries postcessation; however, important postcessation changes (eg, implementation of alternative fluoride delivery programmes) and/or large-scale social change may have...

2008

International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health, 2004

Evidence of water fluoridation's effects on plants, ani mals, and humans is considered based on reviews by sci entific groups and individual communities, including Fort Collins, CO, Port Angeles, WA, and Tacoma-Pierce County, WA. The potential for corrosion of pipes and the use of fluoridation chemicals, particularly fluoro silicic acid, are considered, as is the debate about whether fluoridation increases lead in water, with the conclusion that there is no such increase. The argu ments of anti-fluoridationists and fluoridation propo nents are examined with respect to the politics of the issue.

Journal of Public Health Dentistry, 1988

Recent questions about the effectiveness of water fluoridation have come from Diesendorf in Australia and Colquhoun in New Zealand. This report examines the arguments of both authors in detail and finds errors in each. Diesendorf employed an outdated view of how fluoride exerts its anticariogenic action and took a number of quotations out of context. Colquhoun's data are questionable. Neither author has produced evidence to challenge the established safety and effectiveness of water fluoridation.

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2021

Drinking water is a major source of dietary fluoride intake in communities with water fluoridation. We examined the association between urinary fluoride adjusted for specific gravity (UFSG) and tap water fluoride levels, by age and sex, among individuals living in Canada. Participants included 1629 individuals aged 3 to 79 years from Cycle 3 (2012–2013) of the Canadian Health Measures Survey. We used multiple linear regression to estimate unique associations of tap water fluoride levels, age, sex, ethnicity, body mass index (BMI), use of fluoride-containing dental products, smoking in the home, and tea consumption with UFSG. UFSG concentration was significantly higher among participants who received fluoridated drinking water (mean = 1.06 mg/L, standard deviation = 0.83) than among those who did not (M = 0.58 mg/L, SD = 0.47), p < 0.01. UFSG increased over adulthood (ages 19 to 79). Higher UFSG concentration was associated with being female, tea drinking, and smoking in the home....

The New Zealand medical journal, 2014

The recent publication of a high-profile review 1 marks a milestone in the New Zealand (NZ) discourse regarding this controversial public health practice. Jointly sponsored by the Royal Society (RSNZ) and the Prime Minister's Chief Science Advisor, the review strongly supports the Ministry of Health's promotion of community water fluoridation (CWF) and concludes "there are no adverse effects of fluoride of any significance arising from fluoridation at the levels used in New Zealand."

2006

The role of fluoride in reducing the risk of dental caries, especially among children, is well recognized and is the basis for current intake recommendations.

Journal American Water Works Association, 2000

ean conducted a "21 Cities Study" in the 1940s to determine the optimal fluoride concentration in drinking water that decreased the prevalence of dental decay without producing a significant amount of fluorosis. 1,2 Fluorosis is a demineralization of tooth enamel caused by excessive ingestion of fluoride by children during the years of tooth calcification. 3 Its appearance can range from mild (barely noticeable whitish striations on only portions of the teeth) to severe (heavily stained teeth with pitting to all surfaces). Dean's study showed that the optimal fluoride concentration in temperate climates was 1.0-1.2 mg/L. Earlier in his research, Dean noted that about 10 percent of The US Public Health Service sets optimal fluoride concentrations for community water supplies. The agency's recommendations were used to create a fluoridation map of the United States depicting optimal concentrations. This study determined how closely reported state optimal fluoride concentrations followed those on the map. The most recent fluoridation census statistics were used to determine the reported state optimal fluoride concentration, which represents the level at which community water supplies should be fluoridated according to state policy. In only five states did the reported state optimal fluoride concentrations exactly match those on the fluoridation map. Eleven states reported lower state optimal fluoride concentrations on average; 32 reported higher amounts. As research and debate continue regarding optimal fluoride concentrations in drinking water, it is important that water plant operators stay current on fluoridation issues.