Northumberland councillors call for water fluoridation scheme to be expanded to tackle high rates of decay

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Councillors in Northumberland are calling for the region’s water fluoridation scheme to be expanded in a bid to tackle high rates of decay.

The most recent statistics show that the rate of extractions among young children under 4 is higher in Northumberland than any other part of the North East, and decay is also more prevalent in the region’s 12 year olds than many other parts of England. Only 54.9% of 12-year-olds are free from decay according to data from Northumberland’s Oral Health Strategy and Action Plan for 2019-2022.

Research suggests that rates of decay are lowest in parts of the North East that have access to fluoridated water. Fluoride is a mineral, which is often added to toothpaste. It helps to prevent decay by strengthening the enamel. At a meeting of the County Council’s health and wellbeing board on March 14th, several councillors were keen to push for the current fluoridation scheme, which provides 43% of residents with fluoridated water, to be expanded to enable more young people to benefit from fluoridated water supplies. Public Health England data suggests that every £1 spend on water fluoridation saves £12.71, making it a much more cost-effective solution than fluoride varnish and providing children with oral hygiene packs. The council is currently waiting for the feasibility study from Northumbrian Water to see if it is possible to push ahead and try and increase access to fluoridated water

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