Water Fluoridation Water Supply (Environmental Disease, Risk Management)
Q1: How strong is the scientific evidence that fluoride in water supplies is a cause of adverse health effects? What are the proven and suggested health risks?
How strong is the evidence for each?
There are a number of recent studies have confirmed that water fluoridation can reduce the prevalence and incidence of dental caries among children in the majority of fluoridated areas (Armfield, 2005; Jones, Burt, Petersen & Lennon, 2005). More specifically, recent Australian research has demonstrated that the prevalence of tooth decay has significantly decreased through community water fluoridation since the mid-1990s (Victorian Government Department of Human Services, 2009). When fluoride is used in an optimal level, it is effective in preventing and controlling dental caries. Conversely, consumption of excessive fluoride during the teeth formation period can cause dental fluorosis.
As reported by Australian Government National Health and Medical Research Council (2007) that the regular consumption of high fluoride concentrations water (above 1.5 mg/L) can gradually increasing the risks of developing skeletal fluorosis, thus resulting in brittle bones. In addition, skeletal fluorosis can result in bone pain and joint stiffness may occur in areas with high levels of fluoride in the water. It is stated that water fluoridation is associated with an increase of 13 precent in the risk of unaesthetic dental fluorosis (Australian Government National Health and Medical Research Council, 2004; McDonagh et al.,2000).
The suggested health risks are included bone cancer, hip fractures, allergic reactions, kidney disease, arthritis and other health conditions (Victorian Government Department of Human Services, 2007b). According to Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (1999), the safety and effectiveness of water fluoridation have been re-evaluated frequently, and there is no credible scientific evidence supports an association between fluoridation and any of
How strong is the evidence for each?
There are a number of recent studies have confirmed that water fluoridation can reduce the prevalence and incidence of dental caries among children in the majority of fluoridated areas (Armfield, 2005; Jones, Burt, Petersen & Lennon, 2005). More specifically, recent Australian research has demonstrated that the prevalence of tooth decay has significantly decreased through community water fluoridation since the mid-1990s (Victorian Government Department of Human Services, 2009). When fluoride is used in an optimal level, it is effective in preventing and controlling dental caries. Conversely, consumption of excessive fluoride during the teeth formation period can cause dental fluorosis.
As reported by Australian Government National Health and Medical Research Council (2007) that the regular consumption of high fluoride concentrations water (above 1.5 mg/L) can gradually increasing the risks of developing skeletal fluorosis, thus resulting in brittle bones. In addition, skeletal fluorosis can result in bone pain and joint stiffness may occur in areas with high levels of fluoride in the water. It is stated that water fluoridation is associated with an increase of 13 precent in the risk of unaesthetic dental fluorosis (Australian Government National Health and Medical Research Council, 2004; McDonagh et al.,2000).
The suggested health risks are included bone cancer, hip fractures, allergic reactions, kidney disease, arthritis and other health conditions (Victorian Government Department of Human Services, 2007b). According to Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (1999), the safety and effectiveness of water fluoridation have been re-evaluated frequently, and there is no credible scientific evidence supports an association between fluoridation and any of
References: Anderson, P. (2003). Pro and Con Analysis of Continuation of City of Fort Collins Water Fluoridation. Retrieved from http://www.healthdistrict.org/policy/localpolicy/fluorideanalysis.pdf. Armfield, J Australian Dental Association. (2011). Fluoride Frequently Asked Question. Retrieved from http://www.ada.org.au/faqs/faq,documentid,26889,category,Fluoride.aspx Australian Government Department of Health Newburn, E. (2007). Effectiveness of Water Fluoridation. Journal of Public Health Dentistry. 49(5), 279-289. doi:10.1111/j.1752-7325.1989.tb02086.x Pelusey, M Sandman, P. M. (2012). Responding to community outrage: strategies for effective risk communication. Retrieved from http://www.psandman.com/media/RespondingtoCommunityOutrage.pdf United State Department of Health and Human Services Victorian Government Department of Human Services. (2009). Water fluoridation, question and answer sheet. Retrieved from http://www.health.vic.gov.au/environment/downloads/fluori_qa07.pdf Wallace, L