Water Fluoridation Flashcards
What is community water fluoridation?
Adjusting fluoride to optimum level to achieve optimum caries prevention
What is typically the optimum fluoride range?
.5 - 1.2ppm depending on climate
(Hot countries drink more water)
What uk legislation was implemented to bring in water fluoridation? What did it do?
Water ac 2003
Replaced flawed legislation of water fluoridation act 1985
Changed word from ‘may’ to ‘shall’
So water fluoridation will be implemented if a relevant authority indicated to raise fluoride levels.
What are some Barrie’s to water fluoridation?
Acceptability and objection in the public over safety and efficacy of fluoride, the chemicals used and by products
Political barriers
- very vocal anti fluoridation lobby
- different parties have different views
Geographical barriers
- difficult terrain
Financial barriers
What review was a done with regards to the safety and efficacy of water fluoridation? What did it find?
PHE: water fluoridation health monitoring report for England 2014
Concluded that no clear evidence in risk of
- Down’s syndrome
- all cancers
- hip fracture
- kidney stones
Concluded it was safe
