Modeling an economic evaluation of a salt fluoridation program in Peru

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Dental Epidemiology
• Health Economics

Background:

• Dental caries remains a significant public health issue globally.
• Preventive dental strategies are crucial for reducing disease burden and healthcare costs.
• Salt fluoridation is a recognized method for community-level fluoride delivery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To model the cost-effectiveness of a salt fluoridation program for dental caries prevention in children.
• To compare the societal costs and benefits of salt fluoridation versus no intervention in Arequipa, Peru.

Main Methods:

• Standard cost-effectiveness analysis using 2009 prices.
• Health outcomes measured as dental caries averted over 6 years.
• Societal costs included direct treatment, program, and productivity loss costs.

Main Results:

• Salt fluoridation for 25,000 children resulted in net savings of S/.11.95 per tooth averted.
• An annual investment of S/.0.32 per child yielded net savings of S/.11.95 per decayed/missing/filled tooth prevented.

Conclusions:

• Salt fluoridation presents significant health and economic advantages in the Peruvian context.
• The program is a cost-effective strategy for dental caries prevention.
• Findings support the implementation of salt fluoridation programs in similar settings.