L13 Water fluoridation Flashcards
What is the history of water fluoridation?
Fredrick McKay was the person who investigated water fluoridation with mottling (Pensylvania)
1928 - Ainsworth investigated links between mottling and fluoridation in the UK
1933 - Churchill found the link between link between mottling and fluoride
What is the optimum fluoride concentration?
1 part per million
Which areas of the UK are fluoridated?
6 million people in the UK drink fluoridated water Birmingham Wolverhampton Staffordshire Shropshire Warwickshire Worcestershire
What affect does affluence have on both decay?
A gradient is shown from affluent to deprived
What are the benefits of fluoridation?
Less toothache
Fewer extractions
Fewer general anesthetics
Fewer fillings
What do factors do anti fluoridation parties claim risk of harm?
Cancers Bone fractures BSE AIDS Low intelligence
How were allegations of harm tested?
Tested by research doctors
Reviewed by expert groups
Challenged by courts
Scientific evidence alone is hypothetical, it must be backed up
Some opponents of water fluoridation use unreliable references to substantiate their point
What is the effect of fluoridation on
onset of cancer, bone health and immune function?
No link between fluoridated areas and any of these
Why still fluoridate water if proven link with mottling present?
Mottling would not be a major problem for only 1 part per million
Is fluoride cost effective?
Yes
“cost of dental treatment was twice as high in non fluoridated communities than non fluoridated communities” Uni of York
Is water fluoridated worldwide?
350 million people drink artificially fluoridated water
In the USA 46 out of 50 largest cities are fluoridated
Which countries are implementing the scheme?
Australia New Zeland Canada Chile Brazil South Korea Singapore Malaysia Vietnam
Which parties support fluoridation?
Dental and medical bodies
Numerous health organisations
Major political policies
Major supported by public opinion
What are the ethical issues invovled?
Infringement of human rights as no one has right to drink fluoride free water
Replicated situation that occurs naturally
Water act 2003
Water undertaker may fluoridate water supply (discretion had been given to water company)
Strategic health authority is responsible to see if water should be fluoridated and the NHS will pay. Water companies are obliged to fluoridate in this case, but are covered against liabilities (people suing)
Before this act, it was up to discretion of water companies
What is the fluoride concentration in Europe?
upuptoto 1.5 parts per million fluoride
