Water fluoridation for the prevention of dental caries: Fluoride - is it fake news?

Lucy O’Malley; Jan Clarkson; Sharon Lewis; Tanya Walsh; Anne Marie Glenny

doi:10.1038/s41415-025-8412-1

Water fluoridation for the prevention of dental caries: Fluoride - is it fake news?

Lucy O’Malley (Lead / Corresponding author), Jan Clarkson (Lead / Corresponding author), Sharon Lewis (Lead / Corresponding author), Tanya Walsh (Lead / Corresponding author), Anne Marie Glenny (Lead / Corresponding author)

Dentistry

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

Early studies of community water fluoridation showed an important effect on prevention of tooth decay in children. Recent studies show smaller effects. Any potential oral health benefits should be comprehensively considered alongside potential harms and costs (taking contemporary effect estimates into account). There is inconsistent evidence with regards to the impact of water fluoridation on oral health inequalities. Where community water fluoridation is implemented, monitoring of water fluoride concentrations is critical to ensure schemes consistently provide optimal potential benefits in terms of caries prevention.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	241-242
Number of pages	2
Journal	British Dental Journal
Volume	238
Issue number	4
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-025-8412-1
Publication status	Published - 28 Feb 2025

ASJC Scopus subject areas

General Dentistry

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10.1038/s41415-025-8412-1

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title = "Water fluoridation for the prevention of dental caries: Fluoride - is it fake news?",

abstract = "Early studies of community water fluoridation showed an important effect on prevention of tooth decay in children. Recent studies show smaller effects. Any potential oral health benefits should be comprehensively considered alongside potential harms and costs (taking contemporary effect estimates into account). There is inconsistent evidence with regards to the impact of water fluoridation on oral health inequalities. Where community water fluoridation is implemented, monitoring of water fluoride concentrations is critical to ensure schemes consistently provide optimal potential benefits in terms of caries prevention.",

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AU - Walsh, Tanya

AU - Glenny, Anne Marie

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N2 - Early studies of community water fluoridation showed an important effect on prevention of tooth decay in children. Recent studies show smaller effects. Any potential oral health benefits should be comprehensively considered alongside potential harms and costs (taking contemporary effect estimates into account). There is inconsistent evidence with regards to the impact of water fluoridation on oral health inequalities. Where community water fluoridation is implemented, monitoring of water fluoride concentrations is critical to ensure schemes consistently provide optimal potential benefits in terms of caries prevention.

AB - Early studies of community water fluoridation showed an important effect on prevention of tooth decay in children. Recent studies show smaller effects. Any potential oral health benefits should be comprehensively considered alongside potential harms and costs (taking contemporary effect estimates into account). There is inconsistent evidence with regards to the impact of water fluoridation on oral health inequalities. Where community water fluoridation is implemented, monitoring of water fluoride concentrations is critical to ensure schemes consistently provide optimal potential benefits in terms of caries prevention.

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Water fluoridation for the prevention of dental caries: Fluoride - is it fake news?

Abstract

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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