New report on efficacy of water fluoridation drives call for policy shift

The Queensland Child Oral Health Study (QCOHS) 2022-24 study, led by The University of Queensland and involving collaboration with health and education sector partners, has found that water fluoridation has led to significant reduction in dental decay across all age groups of children aged 5-14 years over a period of ten years.

Drawing on data collected from 7,748 Queensland school students and compared with the first QCOHS study conducted in 2010-2012, the results showed that this reduction was observed primarily in areas where water fluoridation was implemented.

Speaking about the study’s findings, Professor Loc Do from UQ’s School of Dentistry noted that access to water fluoridation was not equal across all areas of the state.

“Nearly one-third of Queensland children were found to lack access to fluoridated water, mainly in regional areas, highlighting the oral health inequities.

“The rates of untreated decay varied widely by residential location, ranging from 21.1 per cent in major cities to 39.1 per cent in remote and very remote areas.”

A significant drop was also observed in the consumption of sugary drinks by children, which has prompted calls by the ADA and the Australian Dental Association Queensland (ADAQ) for every child, no matter where they are located in Queensland, to have equal access to water fluoridation which has proven to be an effective oral health measure over many decades.

"Tooth decay is dropping across Queensland, which proves fluoridation works. But thirty per cent of Queensland kids are still missing out, and councils that opted out of water fluoridation over the last ten years are still being left behind," Dr Chris Sanzaro, ADA President, said.

Key to this happening is the restoration of responsibility for water fluoridation to the State Government.

"ADAQ has been very vocal in advocating for the return of control of water fluoridation to the State Government, after a decade of councils being allowed to call the shots on this important public health measure. This study gives us up to date, local evidence on why fluoridation is important," said Dr Kelly Hennessy, ADAQ President.

Dr Sanzaro said the findings reinforced the ADA's national policy position on fluoridation. 

"All Australians should have equal access to the benefits of water fluoridation. Fluoridation of community water supplies is preferred as a safe, effective and ethical means of reducing tooth decay in all age groups and should be implemented and maintained wherever there is insufficient natural fluoride, with adequate control and supervision. Governments must adopt water fluoridation as part of health policy and actively promote its introduction, where it is feasible, as a public health measure," Dr Sanzaro said.