Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Toxicity Testing in Animals01:23

Toxicity Testing in Animals

Toxicity tests in animals are grounded on two main assumptions: first, the effects observed in laboratory animals can be extrapolated to humans, especially when adjusted for body surface area; second, high-dose exposure in animals is essential to identify potential human hazards from lower doses. This is based on the quantal dose-response concept, which faces the challenge of extrapolating results from relatively few test animals to much larger human populations. For example, a 0.01% incidence...
Study Designs in Epidemiology01:20

Study Designs in Epidemiology

Epidemiological study designs are fundamental tools for investigating the distribution, determinants, and control of health conditions in populations. They help researchers understand the relationships between exposures and outcomes, and they broadly fall into two categories: "observational" and "experimental" studies.
Observational studies are those where the researcher does not intervene but rather observes natural variations. They include cross-sectional, cohort, and case-control studies.

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Letter to the Editor, "Early Childhood Exposures to Fluorides and Cognitive Neurodevelopment: A Population-Based Longitudinal Study".

Journal of dental research·2025
Same author

Community Water Fluoridation a Cost-Benefit-Risk Consideration.

Public health challenges·2025
Same author

Clinical evidence of caries prevention by hydroxyapatite: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

Journal of dentistry·2024
Same author

Caries Etiology and Preventive Measures.

European journal of dentistry·2024
Same author

A new North American species of <i>Etainia</i> (Lepidoptera, Nepticulidae), feeding on <i>Arbutus</i> and <i>Arctostaphylos</i> species (Ericaceae).

ZooKeys·2024
Same author

Doses of fluoride toothpaste for children up to 24 months.

BDJ open·2024

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Micro-dissection of Enamel Organ from Mandibular Incisor of Rats Exposed to Environmental Toxicants
08:12

Micro-dissection of Enamel Organ from Mandibular Incisor of Rats Exposed to Environmental Toxicants

Published on: March 29, 2018

Limitations of fluoridation effectiveness studies: Lessons from Alberta, Canada.

Christopher Neurath1, James S Beck2, Hardy Limeback3

  • 1American Environmental Health Studies Project, Lexington, MA, USA.

Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology
|October 11, 2017
PubMed
Summary

Cessation of community water fluoridation did not increase dental decay rates in Calgary children. A re-evaluation of data, including a previously omitted survey, showed no change in decay progression after fluoridation stopped.

Keywords:
cariesepidemiologyfluoridationpublic health policystudy design

More Related Videos

High Throughput SiRNA Screening for Chloropicrin and Hydrogen Fluoride-Induced Cornea Epithelial Cell Injury
14:20

High Throughput SiRNA Screening for Chloropicrin and Hydrogen Fluoride-Induced Cornea Epithelial Cell Injury

Published on: June 16, 2018

Impact of Common Fruit Juices and Toothbrushing on the Discoloration of Primary Teeth
04:40

Impact of Common Fruit Juices and Toothbrushing on the Discoloration of Primary Teeth

Published on: March 27, 2026

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Micro-dissection of Enamel Organ from Mandibular Incisor of Rats Exposed to Environmental Toxicants
08:12

Micro-dissection of Enamel Organ from Mandibular Incisor of Rats Exposed to Environmental Toxicants

Published on: March 29, 2018

High Throughput SiRNA Screening for Chloropicrin and Hydrogen Fluoride-Induced Cornea Epithelial Cell Injury
14:20

High Throughput SiRNA Screening for Chloropicrin and Hydrogen Fluoride-Induced Cornea Epithelial Cell Injury

Published on: June 16, 2018

Impact of Common Fruit Juices and Toothbrushing on the Discoloration of Primary Teeth
04:40

Impact of Common Fruit Juices and Toothbrushing on the Discoloration of Primary Teeth

Published on: March 27, 2026

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology
  • Dental Research

Background:

  • Community water fluoridation is a key public health measure for preventing dental caries.
  • Previous studies have examined the impact of fluoridation cessation on oral health outcomes.
  • Evaluating the methodology and findings of such studies is crucial for accurate public health policy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To critically assess the study design, data interpretation, and conclusions of McLaren et al. regarding fluoridation cessation and dental caries.
  • To re-evaluate the impact of fluoridation cessation on dental caries in Grade 2 children by incorporating previously overlooked data.
  • To identify methodological limitations that may affect the validity of conclusions in fluoridation effectiveness studies.

Main Methods:

  • A critical review of a pre-post cross-sectional study comparing dental caries rates in Calgary (fluoridation cessation) and Edmonton (maintained fluoridation).
  • Inclusion of a third Calgary dental health survey dataset (1.5 years pre-cessation) omitted in the original analysis.
  • Analysis of potential confounding factors, including baseline decay rates, health indicators, demographic characteristics, and survey participation rates.

Main Results:

  • The original study's conclusion of an adverse effect of fluoridation cessation on oral health was contradicted by the inclusion of the third Calgary survey data.
  • The rate of increase in dental decay in Calgary remained consistent both before and after the cessation of fluoridation.
  • Significant differences in baseline caries risk factors between Calgary and Edmonton, and a lack of parallel shifts in these factors over time, suggest potential confounding.

Conclusions:

  • The cessation of community water fluoridation in Calgary was not associated with an increase in dental decay rates in Grade 2 children.
  • Methodological shortcomings, including the omission of relevant data and potential confounding factors, limit the original study's ability to establish causality.
  • Future research on fluoridation effectiveness requires rigorous study designs, comprehensive data inclusion, and robust control for confounding variables to ensure reliable findings.