The CATFISH study protocol: an evaluation of a water fluoridation scheme

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Dental Research

Background:

• Tooth decay is the most common childhood disease.
• Fluoride prevents tooth decay and is widely used in dental products.
• Water fluoridation, a long-standing method, has shown benefits but requires further evidence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact of reintroducing water fluoridation on caries incidence.
• To address evidence gaps identified in previous UK reviews (York Review, MRC Report).
• To provide contemporary data on water fluoridation's effectiveness and cost-effectiveness in the UK.

Main Methods:

• A natural experiment comparing two geographical areas: one with re-introduced fluoridation, one without.
• Prospective 5-year follow-up of two cohorts: children born after fluoridation and first-year schoolchildren.
• Data collection includes parental questionnaires and clinical examinations for younger children, and clinical examinations for older children.

Main Results:

• The study is designed to provide high-quality data on caries incidence.
• It aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a reintroduced water fluoridation scheme.
• Results will address the need to examine water fluoridation's impact on current dental decay epidemiology.

Conclusions:

• This research offers a unique opportunity to evaluate water fluoridation in the UK.
• Findings will inform UK public health policy and potentially influence international policies.
• The study addresses the equipoise regarding water fluoridation's effectiveness in contemporary populations.