Water fluoridation - information for health professionals

In 2006, the World Health Organization, the International Association for Dental Research and the World Dental Federation released a Call to Action to promote dental health using fluoride. The statement reaffirmed the efficiency, cost effectiveness and safety of the daily use of optimal fluoride.

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) is Australia's peak health body for the achievement of the best possible standards for individual and public health. In 2007, the NHMRC commissioned a systematic review to evaluate scientific data on fluoridation. The review affirms that 'water fluoridation remains the most effective and socially equitable means of achieving community-wide exposure to the caries prevention effects of fluoride'.

In 2008, researchers from the Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health presented results from a study which examined the effectiveness of water fluoridation on children's dental health across four Australian states. More than 16,800 children were examined. The study found children from optimally fluoridated areas had significantly less dental caries than those from areas without optimal water fluoridation.

The overwhelming weight of scientific evidence examined in the reviews and reports supports the effectiveness of water fluoridation as a means of helping to protect teeth against dental caries. The World Health Organization states that daily use of optimal fluoride is both safe and effective.

Given the benefits provided by water fluoridation, in 2004, all Australian Health Ministers endorsed Healthy mouths healthy lives: Australia's National Oral Health Plan 2004-2013. This Plan includes a recommendation to extend water fluoridation around Australia.

Water fluoridation - Information for health professionals (414kb, pdf)