Knowledge, Perception and Behaviour of the General Public Concerning the Addition of Fluoride in Drinking Water

Opinion of residents from the Gold Coast, Queensland, on community water fluoridation

“…Of those who heard negative notions about water fluoridation, 19.8% opposed its introduction, compared to 5.5% being opposed amongst those who had not heard negative notions. Of the participants who felt that the government provided no information, 20.4% opposed its introduction, compared to 10.8% who felt the information was not enough and 8.7% who felt the information was enough.…”

“…For the 1992 survey support was higher amongst 16‐ to 24‐year‐olds (89%) compared to 55‐ to 64‐year‐olds (72%) . In a Canadian study approximately 80% of respondents supported water fluoridation, but support was found to be slightly lower in fluoridated compared to the non‐fluoridated municipalities surveyed . In another Canadian study 62% of adults surveyed still supported community water fluoridation .…”

“…18 In a Canadian study approximately 80% of respondents supported water fluoridation, but support was found to be slightly lower in fluoridated compared to the non-fluoridated municipalities surveyed. 19 In another Canadian study 62% of adults surveyed still supported community water fluoridation. 20 Contrary to the majority of published reports on the support for water fluoridation, results from focus group discussions in 16 European countries showed that most participants were against water fluoridation and were of the opinion that dental health was to be dealt with by the individual instead.…”

Australian opinions on water fluoridation: do Queenslanders believe differently?

“…Elsewhere, a 2008 telephone survey in Canada only managed a response rate, excluding non‐contacts, of approximately 10%, 37 while a public opinion poll in San Diego, California, USA, in 2006 obtained a response rate of 36.4% 38 . A number of studies and public opinion surveys sample to a quota and fail to even report response rates 39–41 . Because of the low response rates commonly found, caution must be taken in drawing conclusions regarding prevalence estimates in these studies.…”

“…38 A number of studies and public opinion surveys sample to a quota and fail to even report response rates. [39][40][41] Because of the low response rates commonly found, caution must be taken in drawing conclusions regarding prevalence estimates in these studies. In addition, although associations between variables are unlikely to be greatly affected by participation biases in the sample, descriptive results relating to beliefs and opinions might differ appreciably from the actual population results.…”