Message from the Chief Health Officer of Victoria

Tooth decay is a disease which affects both children and adults, and can cause considerable pain and suffering. When severe, tooth decay can affect appearance, self-esteem and social interaction, and it can also make it difficult to speak and chew. Treating tooth decay can be costly, in terms of time and money, and sometimes children need a general anaesthetic to have their decay treated.

Water fluoridation helps protect teeth against decay, and is the most effective way of allowing everybody access to the benefits of fluoride.

Scientific studies have shown that water fluoridation is a safe and effective way to reduce tooth decay, even though there is widespread use of fluoridated toothpaste. In Victoria, children living in fluoridated areas experience considerably less tooth decay than those in non-fluoridated areas.

This booklet has been updated to reflect new guidelines on the use of fluorides in Australia, new Victorian data and the most recent endorsement of fluoride by the World Health Organization.

More than three quarters of Victorians now drink water with either naturally-occurring or added fluoride. The map on pages 8 and 9 shows which parts of Victoria have fluoridated drinking water.

Water fluoridation is an effective, inexpensive and socially equal way to reduce tooth decay in children and adults.

Dr John Carnie
Chief Health Officer, Victoria

top of page