October 4, 2024

Cochrane review – effectiveness of water fluoridation

A new Cochrane review has evaluated the impact of water fluoridation on people’s dental health, looking at studies from multiple decades. Contemporary research, conducted in high-income countries where fluoride toothpaste is widely available, suggest that the benefits of fluoridating water supplies have declined significantly since the 1970s.

The team of researchers from the University of Manchester reviewed the evidence from 157 studies which compared communities supplied with fluoridated water, either added or naturally occurring, with communities whose water supply contains no or low levels of fluoride.

The review was only able to draw conclusions about the impact on children’s teeth, with similar findings across both baby and permanent teeth. There were no studies with adults that met the review’s criteria.

Journalists came to this online news briefing to hear the researchers present their analysis.

Speakers included:

Prof Anne-Marie Glenny, Professor of Health Sciences Research, Division of Dentistry, University of Manchester

Dr Lucy O’Malley, Senior Lecturer in Health Services Research, Division of Dentistry, University of Manchester

Prof Tanya Walsh, Professor of Healthcare Evaluation, Division of Dentistry, University of Manchester

Prof Janet Clarkson, Director of Effective Dental Practice Programme at the University of Dundee and Clinical Professor in Dental Research at the University of Manchester