Fluoridation 1. Effects on children's caries rates and professionally defined requirements for dental care

In 1977, after six years of fluoridation in South Australia, 337 six year-olds with continuous fluoride-drinking-water histories had DMFT values 53.2 per cent lower and df values 48.5 per cent lower than base-line values. For five to six year-olds presenting for follow-up care in the School Dental Service in 1977, continuous intake of fluoridated water evidently had reduced: (1) the number of teeth needing restorations by 40.0 per cent; (2) the total care items required by 32.6 per cent; (3) the total time required for care by 37.5 per cent; and (4) the fee-for-service value of care required by 34.3 per cent.