The effective use of fluorides in public health
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The effective use of fluorides in public health. / Jones, Sheila; Burt, Brian A; Petersen, Poul Erik; Lennon, Michael A.
In: Bulletin of the World Health Organization, Vol. 83, No. 9, 09.2005, p. 670-6.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - The effective use of fluorides in public health
AU - Jones, Sheila
AU - Burt, Brian A
AU - Petersen, Poul Erik
AU - Lennon, Michael A
PY - 2005/9
Y1 - 2005/9
N2 - Dental caries remain a public health problem for many developing countries and for underprivileged populations in developed countries. This paper outlines the historical development of public health approaches to the use of fluoride and comments on their effectiveness. Early research and development was concerned with waterborne fluorides, both naturally occurring and added, and their effects on the prevalence and incidence of dental caries and dental fluorosis. In the latter half of the 20th century, the focus of research was on fluoride toothpastes and mouth rinses. More recently, systematic reviews summarizing these extensive databases have indicated that water fluoridation and fluoride toothpastes both substantially reduce the prevalence and incidence of dental caries. We present four case studies that illustrate the use of fluoride in modern public health practice, focusing on: recent water fluoridation schemes in California, USA; salt fluoridation in Jamaica; milk fluoridation in Chile; and the development of "affordable" fluoride toothpastes in Indonesia. Common themes are the concern to reduce demands for compliance with fluoride regimes that rely upon action by individuals and their families, and the issue of cost. We recommend that a community should use no more than one systemic fluoride (i.e. water or salt or milk fluoridation) combined with the use of fluoride toothpastes, and that the prevalence of dental fluorosis should be monitored in order to detect increases in or higher-than-acceptable levels.
AB - Dental caries remain a public health problem for many developing countries and for underprivileged populations in developed countries. This paper outlines the historical development of public health approaches to the use of fluoride and comments on their effectiveness. Early research and development was concerned with waterborne fluorides, both naturally occurring and added, and their effects on the prevalence and incidence of dental caries and dental fluorosis. In the latter half of the 20th century, the focus of research was on fluoride toothpastes and mouth rinses. More recently, systematic reviews summarizing these extensive databases have indicated that water fluoridation and fluoride toothpastes both substantially reduce the prevalence and incidence of dental caries. We present four case studies that illustrate the use of fluoride in modern public health practice, focusing on: recent water fluoridation schemes in California, USA; salt fluoridation in Jamaica; milk fluoridation in Chile; and the development of "affordable" fluoride toothpastes in Indonesia. Common themes are the concern to reduce demands for compliance with fluoride regimes that rely upon action by individuals and their families, and the issue of cost. We recommend that a community should use no more than one systemic fluoride (i.e. water or salt or milk fluoridation) combined with the use of fluoride toothpastes, and that the prevalence of dental fluorosis should be monitored in order to detect increases in or higher-than-acceptable levels.
KW - Adolescent
KW - Child
KW - Dental Caries
KW - Fluoridation
KW - Fluorides
KW - History, 20th Century
KW - Humans
KW - Oral Health
KW - Public Health
U2 - /S0042-96862005000900012
DO - /S0042-96862005000900012
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 16211158
VL - 83
SP - 670
EP - 676
JO - Bulletin of the World Health Organization
JF - Bulletin of the World Health Organization
SN - 0042-9686
IS - 9
ER -
ID: 118520123