The push for mass fluoridation of water to improve British teeth

The government’s public health advisers suggest adding fluoride to water to improve British teeth.

15:59 26 March 2014

A first ever-national report examining the impact of putting fluoride into water has found that it helps children significantly reduce tooth decay and hospital admission for dental problems. The report, which was published by Public Health England (PHE), urges councils to consider adding fluoride to all drinking water to improve people’s dental health.

Professor John Newton, the agency’s Chief Knowledge Officer, said: “There is a good deal of speculation about water fluoridation schemes. This report provides new data which is direct evidence of the safety and efficacy of water fluoridation in England.”

However, the cost of carrying out the plan may prove to be costly. According to PHE, the cost to build fluoridation plants is about 40p per person per year.

“Overall the benefits outweigh the costs… [but] there is no doubt that councils will want to consider the cost as one factor,” Prof Newton said. “These costs include the consultation, the capital to set up a plant and the revenue to run a plant.

“The capital costs have in the past been covered by central government but the revenue costs, which equate to around 40p per person per year, would need to be paid for by the public health grant of the local authority. This is a decision for each local authority to take.”

Fluoride has been an additive in most toothpastes for years.