Promoting water fluoridation

The Department of Health published two reports in 1962 and 1969 confirming the effectiveness of water fluoridation in demonstration studies in Watford, Anglesey and Kilmarnock. By 1988, approximately 6 million consumers (12 per cent of the population of England and Wales) were receiving artificially fluoridated water, although much of that progress was the result of decisions taken by local authorities prior to the reorganisation of local government and the health service in 1973-74. The Water Fluoridation Act (1985) established a clear process for decision making which incorporated requirements for local consultation. National opinion surveys indicate that public support for fluoridation has increased from 66 per cent in 1980 to 79 per cent in 1992. Regional Fluoridation Publicity Action Groups will need to convince local decision makers of the extent of this public support.