Achievements of the Seventies: Community and School Fluoridation

Self Cite

136

The efficacy of communal water fluoridation in reducing dental caries has been reviewed based on surveys conducted in the last decade of caries prevalence in fluoridated and nonfluoridated communities in the United States as well as in Australia, Britain, Canada, Ireland, and New Zealand. The efficacy is greatest for the deciduous dentition, with a range of 30-60 percent less caries in fluoridated communities. In the mixed dentition (ages 8 to 12), the efficacy is more variable, about 20-40 percent less caries. In adolescents (ages 14-17), it is about 15-35 percent less caries. Current data on caries prevalence in adults and seniors are extremely limited and include several populations living in communities with higher than optimal fluoride levels. For these adults and seniors, a range of 15-35 percent less caries would also apply. Viewed in toto, the current data for children, adolescents, adults and seniors show a consistently and substantially lower caries prevalence in fluoridated communities. For an accurate measurement of the efficacy of water fluoridation in reducing dental caries, it is essential that only persons with a record of continuous or long-term residency in fluoridated versus nonfluoridated areas be included in such assessments. Because of the high geographic mobility in our society and the widespread use of fluoride dentifrices, supplements, and other topical fluoride agents, such comparisons are becoming more difficult to conduct. Accordingly, the effectiveness (rather than the efficacy) of water fluoridation has decreased as the benefits of other forms of fluoride have spread to communities lacking optimal water fluoridation.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effectiveness of Water Fluoridation

Newbrun

1989

Self Cite

136

“…No wonder there was a higher death rate in the fluoridated community! Such tricksof lying with statistics are not new (54); nevertReless, the use of uncorrected data, particularly in relation to cancer deaths, is typical of the opposition, and was used most effectively in the Los Angeles referendum in 1975 (55).…”

Section: Techniques Used By Opponentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Fluoridation War: a Scientific Dispute or a Religious Argument?

Newbrun

1996

Self Cite

Communal water fluoridation is not considered controversial by the vast majority of the scientific community; however, politically it has persisted as an issue that many legislators and community leaders have avoided because of an aura of dispute, it has been a battleground for vigorous opposition by a very small but outspoken minority who have fought it with the dedication of religious zealots. This paper reviews the nature of the opposition, who they are, the broad thrust of their arguments, some of the specific issues they have raised, and their techniques.

“…The public's knowledge of fluoride is critical to its acceptance. Currently, there is a tremendous need to educate people about the importance of the use of fluoride to prevent dental caries.45, 63,91,93 In order to be as cost-effective as possible, school oral health education programs should include the use of fluoride (school water fluoridation, mouth rinses, or tablets) and education about the benefits of fluoride, diet (reduction of sugar consumution). other auxiliary p e r~o n n e l .~ B Surveys of teachers , I toothbrushing, flossing, and r&ular dental visits.…”

Section: Program Contentmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Survey of Preschool Oral Health Education Programs

Levy¹

1984

The purpose of this survey was to determine how frequently various components of oral health education were included in 27 preschool oral health education programs and to compare the frequencies and the various combinations of components. The results of this survey indicate that the most significant problems relate to inadequate program design and evaluation. Goals, behavioral objectives, program content, media, evaluation measures, and parent and teacher involvement need to be more specifically and thoroughly designed and evaluated. The primary problem with program content was the lack of emphasis on education about the benefits of fluoride. Because of inconsistent and incomplete reporting of programs, judgments of the quality and effectiveness of the components in the 27 programs were not made.