Time trends in exposure to optimally fluoridated water supplies among Australian adolescents

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Abstract
Yearly increments in exposure, cumulative exposure and mean proportion of lifetime exposure to optimally fluoridated water supplies of Australian adolescents over the period 1960-1978 were examined, and trends in those exposure measured from 1979-1990 were conditionally predicted. The basis of the study was the history of the introduction of water fluoridation for the reduction of dental caries. Yearly increments were most varied, but cumulative exposure has continued to increase from a negligible level in 1960 to .apprx. 2/3 of adolescents being exposed in 1978. Proportion of lifetime exposure was represented by a smooth sigmoidal curve with time-lagging of successive curves for higher ages between 12-17 yr old. Proportion of lifetime exposure was predicted to increase through to 1990 and 1996 for 12- and 17-yr-olds, respectively. This prediction showed little sensitivity to yearly increment conditions from 1979-1990.