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Water fluoridation in Australia: A systematic review.
Lalantha Senevirathna1, Himali Erandathie Ratnayake2, Nadeeka Jayasinghe3
1CSU Engineering, School of Computing, Mathematics and Engineering, Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, Australia; Gulbali Institute for Agriculture, Water and Environment, Charles Sturt University, Albury, Australia.
Water fluoridation in Australia, implemented since 1953, is a safe public health strategy that significantly reduces dental caries by 26-44% across all age groups. Ongoing research is crucial for maintaining optimal fluoride levels and oral health benefits.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Dental Research
Background:
- Water fluoridation is a widely recognized, safe, and effective public health intervention for improving oral health.
- Australia has a long history of implementing water fluoridation, with widespread adoption across states and territories.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the evidence on water fluoridation in Australia.
- To summarize its history, health impacts, cost-effectiveness, challenges, and limitations.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search across multiple databases (Ovid Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, etc.).
- Inclusion of primary studies, reviews, letters, and opinion papers.
- Grey literature search and backward snowballing to capture additional relevant studies.
Main Results:
- Water fluoridation was first implemented in Tasmania in 1953, with 89% of Australians now having access to fluoridated water.
- Studies show a significant reduction in dental caries (26-44%) in children, teenagers, and adults.
- Water fluoridation is cost-effective, particularly for rural and low-income populations, but faces challenges like public opposition and implementation costs.
Conclusions:
- Water fluoridation is a proven, cost-effective measure for reducing dental caries in Australia.
- Continued monitoring and research are necessary to optimize fluoride levels and ensure sustained oral health benefits.
- Addressing challenges related to public perception, cost, and equity is vital for the continued success of water fluoridation programs.
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