Controversies in Science/Water fluoridation/A Critique of The effect of water fluoridation and social inequalities on dental caries in 5-year-old children

(Review Paper) Cited in

Points Made
Water fluoridation reduces tooth decay in poorer communties and the use of water fluoridation would dramatically effect the quality of dental health in such neighborhoods. This study will show that poorer children benifit the most from water fluoridation

There is no credible evidence that water fluoridation is associated with any adverse health effects- McDonagh MS, Whiting PF, Wilson PM, Sutton AJ, Chestnut I, Cooper Jet al.Systematic review of water fluoridation. Br Med J2000;321: 855–9.

Studies done in the UK, Autralia and New Zealand have shown that water fluoridation lowers the number of dental caries and improves the oral health of all those living in fluoridated areas. Because water fluoridation is available to all regardless of income and social standing, it will reduce the inequality gap of dental issues amounst children in particular because they do not engage in such behaviours as smoking, drinking alcohol and caffeine.

Methods
The study examined previously obtained data from seven fluoridated and seven non-fluoridated districts in England. Other fluoridated districts were excluded for not meeting a 90% percent flouridation rate. The study focused on three major areas: 1) dental records from dentists visits outlining tooth decay, missing teeth etc. 2) the area that the children lived in 3) if the fluoride in the water has at it's optimal level of 90%

Results
This study shows that tooth decay rises in poorer neighborhoods with a low level of fluoridation than areas where there is more material wealth