New Survey Reveals Many Support Water Fluoridation
A new survey carried out by the British Dental Health Foundation has revealed that the majority of people in the UK support water fluoridation.
The survey showed that almost 4 out of 5 people support water fluoridation with dental experts claiming that adding it can have a dramatic effect on standards of oral health. Dr Nigel Carter OBE, chief executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, described fluoridation as the “most important single measure” that could be taken to improve the nation’s oral health.
Currently, water systems have been fluoridated in and around Birmingham for more than fifty years. According to research, 9 out of 10 people in the UK do not receive fluoridated water and so dental experts are calling for fluoridation to be introduced. The new scheme hopes to lower the rates of decay on a national scale.
Communities in Essex and Hartlepool receive naturally fluoridated water, but most of the UK does not receive fluoridated water and the British Dental Health Foundation believes that adding fluoride to water supplies in large cities, such as Liverpool and Manchester, would be hugely beneficial.
Fluoride is a mineral, which is found naturally in tap water. However, the quantities are too low to have any impact on oral health in most areas of the country. Statistics show that by the time they reach the age of 5, almost two thirds of children have at least one decayed tooth.
Research from Australia, which has an extensive fluoridation programme in place, shows that people of all ages can benefit from added fluoride.
Join this Discussion