Fluoride will be added to the water supply for 1.6 million more people in North East England, the Government has announced. The naturally-occurring mineral can help to prevent tooth decay and strengthen tooth enamel. Around six million people already live in parts of the country where fluoride is added to the water in a bid to cut hospital admissions for children with dental problems.
The expansion comes as hundreds of thousands of children are also set to benefit from a supervised toothbrushing scheme. Already in place in some schools, the programme will be rolled out to around 600,000 more youngsters from April.
Dr Urshla Devalia, spokesperson for the British Society of Paediatric Dentistry, said the initiatives could lead to a “dial shift on children’s oral health in England”.
She added: “Intervening now with a supervised toothbrushing scheme, plus community water fluoridation programmes, are initiatives proven to deliver beneficial oral health outcomes that will pay for themselves several fold in the future.”
A 2022 study les by the University of Manchester concluded that adding fluoride to water had a “modest benefit” on children’s oral health.
Analysis of data from 1,400 five-year-olds found that around 17.4% of those living in fluoridated areas had decayed, filled or missing milk teeth, compared with 21.4% in non-fluoridated areas.
Latest data shows a quarter of children aged five have experienced tooth decay in England, rising to a third in more deprived areas.
Eddie Crouch, chair of the British Dental Association, said: “Water fluoridation has been around since the Second World War. Supervised brushing since Victorian times.
“Tried and tested policies, but it shows we need real pace here.
“Building an NHS dental service fit for the future won’t wait till the 22nd Century.”