Effect of fluoridation on dental health in 5‐and 11‐year‐old Irish schoolchildren

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Sixty percent of the population of the Republic of Ireland live in communities served with fluoridated water supplies. A study was carried out to compare dental caries levels, treatment needs, and the cost of meeting these needs, in 1 town with fluoridated water supplies and 2 smaller towns without. In the fluoridated town 5 yr old children had 36% less caries and would cost 29% less to treat than the corresponding age group in the non-fluoridated towns. Restorative treatment levels in both areas were minimal for this age group. In the 11 yr old children there was a 42% difference in DMFT [decayed, missing, filled teeth] and a cost saving in treatment required because of caries of 50% in favor of the fluoridated community. Anterior permanent teeth benefited most, with a reduction of 81% in mean DMFT. In both areas most of the decay was seen in the permanent first molar teeth. Restorative treatment levels, while higher for the 11 yr old age group, were still unsatisfactory.