Plans to expand water fluoridation in North East

Today, the Government have announced plans to expand water fluoridation in the North East of England to help tackle tooth decay.

The plans, which have been put out to public consultation, are part of the Government’s Dental Recovery Plan and would extend the current fluoridation scheme across the whole of the region to a further 1.6 million people.

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral which protects against tooth decay. Natural levels of fluoride in water can be safely topped up to provide additional protection for teeth and reduce dental health inequalities, with decades of research showing it is effective and safe.

The benefits of water fluoridation are universal but it is particularly effective for young children and vulnerable adults alongside other good habits, like brushing with fluoride toothpaste. A 2022 health monitoring report showed five-year-olds in areas with fluoridated water in England were less likely to experience tooth decay compared to areas without, and are less likely to be admitted to hospital to have teeth removed.

Around six million people in England already live in areas with fluoridated water and it is commonly used internationally as a measure to tackle tooth decay. Around 400 million people in 25 countries worldwide – including the US, Canada and Ireland – live in areas with fluoridation schemes.

However, a 2023 oral health survey found 16 per cent of schoolchildren in year 6 living in the North East suffered tooth decay, compared to 12 per cent of children living in the South West.

Greg Fell, ADPH President, said:

“Tooth decay is the leading cause of hospital admissions for five-to-nine-year-olds. That has a serious impact on both individuals and their families, with days missed from education and work, as well as a significant cost to the NHS.

“While families need to be equipped with the knowledge and skills to oversee good dental hygiene, there is much we can do as a society to improve the situation and water fluoridation schemes are the single most effective public health measure for reducing tooth decay rates. This proposed expansion therefore presents a real opportunity to improve health and wellbeing in the north east, and reduce the unacceptable gap in health outcomes that people living in different areas of the country currently experience.”

The Government consultation will last 12 weeks, after which it will gather responses and publish its decision on whether to widen the scheme.