Water Fluoridation to Tackle Tooth Decay in the North East
The government have launched a public consultation on the proposed expansion of water fluoridation to 1.6 million more people in the north east in an attempt to tackle tooth decay.
Approximately half of the north east already has fluoridated water including parts of Country Durham, Gateshead, and Newcastle upon Tyne.
The expansion of the scheme would mean more are provided with additional protection for their teeth, and reducing dental health inequalities in the region.
Fluoride, a naturally occurring mineral, can be safely topped up in the water supply, a practice backed up by decades of research showing that it is effective and safe.
Professor Sir Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer for England, highlighted the benefits of water fluoridation but emphasised it isn’t a standalone solution to tooth decay.
He said: “Water fluoridation can reduce the prevalence of tooth decay and improve dental health equity across the UK. It should be seen as a complementary strategy, not a substitute for other effective methods of increasing fluoride use such as tooth brushing.”
Fluoridated water is be particularly beneficial for young children and vulnerable adults alongside regularly brushing teeth with a fluoride toothpaste.
Professor Peter Kelly, Regional Public Health Director for the north east, also commented: “Tooth decay is largely preventable but remains a major public health issue, particularly in more deprived areas, including parts of the north east, and among children.
“If tooth decay takes root from a young age, it cannot be reversed so interventions like this are really important.”
Expanding water fluoridation to a further 1.6 million people will deliver health benefits across the whole region for generations to come.
The scheme is part of the government’s Dental Recovery Plan
Water fluoridation is a common and effective measure in tackling tooth decay globally, with an estimated 400 million people in 25 countries living in areas with fluoridation schemes.
Alongside countries such as the US, Canada, and Ireland, England has multiple areas with fluoridated water with a reach of around six million people.
The scheme forms part of the government’s Dental Recovery Plan, which introduces a range of measures to prevent tooth decay, as well as creating an additional 2.5 million dental appointments this year.
According to a 2023 oral health survey of children in year 6, 16% of participants in the north east had experienced tooth decay, compared to 12% of participants in the south west.
Another government-commissioned study from 2022 found that water fluoridation is an effective strategy at combatting this, finding that five-year-olds living in areas with fluoridated water in England were less likely to experience tooth decay compared to areas without, as well as being less likely to be admitted to hospital to have teeth removed.
Health Minister Andrea Leadsom said that preventing tooth decay is a key part of the Dental Recovery Plan, adding that the government: “Will support new parents via our family hubs programme to ensure brushing is a part of every child’s daily routine by the time they reach primary school.
We’ll be sending mobile dental teams into schools in under served areas to provide fluoride varnish treatments to more than 165,000 children and education as well as advice on good oral health.
“On top of these actions, the extension of water fluoridation in places like the north east will deliver population-wide improvements in oral health.”
Interim Chief Dental Officer for England Jason Wong stated: “Water fluoridation is a highly effective public health measure that’s already benefitted millions of people across the north east and other parts of the country over several decades.
“Reducing tooth decay supports wider health and wellbeing and reduces health inequalities by narrowing differences in dental health between more and less deprived areas, and this important measure forms a key part of our dental recovery plan which aims to improve access to NHS dental services across England.”
The consultation on the expansion scheme in the north east is set to last 12 weeks, after which the government will gather responses and publish its decision on whether to widen the scheme.
