Community Water Fluoridation Flashcards
1
Q
What is community water fluoridation?
A
- adjustment of the natural fluoride content of community water supply to achieve optimum caries prevention whilst minimising risk of dental fluorosis
2
Q
What levels of water fluoridation are acceptable?
A
- 0.5-1.2ppm
- depends on climate
- related to ambient air temperature and latitude
- depends on climate
3
Q
What form of fluoride is used for water fluoridation?
A
- H2SiF6
- hydrofluorosilicic acid/hexafluosilicic acid
- Na2SiF6
- sodium fluorosilicate/sodium silicofluoride
4
Q
What is the fluoride content of Scottish water?
A
- 0.1mgF/l (ppm)
- (0.04-1.12)
- natural fluoride content
5
Q
What UK legislation exists for water fluoridation?
A
- Water Fluoridation Act (1985)
- Water Industry Act (1991)
- Water Act 2003, Section 58 (Fluoridation of Water Supplies)
6
Q
What does the Water Act 2003 state about water fluoridation?
A
- water undertaker shall enter into arrangements with relevant authority to increase fluoride content of the water supplied
- requirement for public consultation before new schemes implemented or existing schemes terminated
- statutory requirement for authority to monitor health effects of fluoridation
7
Q
What does the Water Act 2003 state about water fluoridation?
A
- water undertaker shall enter into arrangements with relevant authority to increase fluoride content of the water supplied
- requirement for public consultation before new schemes implemented or existing schemes terminated
- statutory requirement for authority to monitor health effects of fluoridation
8
Q
What barriers to water fluoridation exist?
A
- objections/acceptability
- moral/ethical
- safety and efficacy
- political barriers
- geographical barriers
- financial barriers
9
Q
What are the ethical and moral considerations of water fluoridation?
A
- human/civil rights
- beneficial
- no harmful consequences - does not infringe any basic human right
- only personal preference - replicates a situation found naturally in some places
- beneficial
- unethical not to fluoridate water where practicable?
10
Q
What are the safety and efficacy considerations of water fluoridation?
A
- chemicals used are industrial waste products
- fertiliser production
- hydrogen fluoride reacts with silica
- hexafluorosilicic acid
- fertiliser production
- concerns fluoride and fluoride compounds are toxic
- links to health conditions
- cancers
- bone disorders
- cognitive impairment - acute toxicity
- cumulative poison
- fluorosis
- dose response
- aesthetic concern
- skeletal concern
- not a concern with water fluoridation
- links to health conditions
- prevention of caries
- reduction in caries prevalence
10
Q
What are the safety and efficacy considerations of water fluoridation?
A
- chemicals used are industrial waste products
- fertiliser production
- hydrogen fluoride reacts with silica
- hexafluorosilicic acid
- fertiliser production
- concerns fluoride and fluoride compounds are toxic
- links to health conditions
- cancers
- bone disorders
- cognitive impairment - acute toxicity
- cumulative poison
- fluorosis
- dose response
- aesthetic concern
- skeletal concern
- not a concern with water fluoridation
- links to health conditions
- prevention of caries
- reduction in caries prevalence
11
Q
What are the political barriers to water fluoridation?
A
- anti fluoridation lobby very vocal
- highly emotive topic
- differing opinions across parties
