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Fluoride - is it fake news?

Water fluoridation and our ambition for prevention

British Dental Journal volume 238, pages 243–244 (2025)Cite this article

Key points

  • The UK prevalence of tooth decay - a largely preventable public health issue - is unacceptably high.

  • Community water fluoridation schemes, at recommended levels, allow for a safe and cost-effective public health measure to reduce the prevalence and severity of dental caries.

  • To address common risk factors of dental disease, we need a comprehensive and coordinated approach to prevention.

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References

  1. UK Government. Hospital tooth extractions in 0 to 19 year olds: 2023. 2024. Available at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/hospital-tooth-extractions-in-0-to-19-year-olds-2023 (accessed December 2024).

  2. UK Government. Statement on water fluoridation from the UK Chief Medical Officers. 2021. Available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/water-fluoridation-statement-from-the-uk-chief-medical-officers/statement-on-water-fluoridation-from-the-uk-chief-medical-officers (accessed December 2024).

  3. UK Government. Delivering better oral health: an evidence-based toolkit for prevention. 2021. Available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/delivering-better-oral-health-an-evidence-based-toolkit-for-prevention (accessed December 2024).

  4. UK Government. Sugar reduction programme: industry progress 2015 to 2020. 2022. Available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sugar-reduction-programme-industry-progress-2015-to-2020 (accessed December 2024).

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chair, BDA Health and Science Committee, World Dental Federation Dental Practice Committee, and European Regional Organization Oral Health and General Health Working Group, United Kingdom

    Mick Armstrong

Authors
  1. Mick Armstrong
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Correspondence to Mick Armstrong.

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Cite this article

Armstrong, M. Water fluoridation and our ambition for prevention. Br Dent J 238, 243–244 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-025-8410-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-025-8410-3

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