Abstract
Objective Does water fluoridation result in a reduction of caries across social groups and between geographical locations, bringing equity?
Data sources See page 37.
Study selection A total of 15 studies investigating the association of water fluoridation, dental caries and social class were identified, ranging in publication dates from 1969–1999. Among these were three unpublished studies (Holdcroft 1999, Gray 2000, Jones 2000).
Data extraction and synthesis All except two of the studies investigating the association between caries experience, water fluoridation and social class were of evidence level C. The only exceptions were the before–after studies, which were level B.
Conclusions The small quantity of studies, differences between these studies, and their low quality-rating, suggest caution should be applied in interpreting the results. There appears to be some evidence that water fluoridation reduces the inequalities in dental health across social classes in 5- and 12-year-olds, using the DMFT measure. This effect was not seen in the proportion of caries-free children among 5-year-olds. There were not sufficient data for the effects in children of other ages to be investigated fully.
McDonagh M, Whiting P, Bradley M, Cooper J, Sutton A, Chestnutt I, Misso K, Wilson P, and Kleijnen J. A Systematic Review of Public Water Fluoridation. York: University of York Publications Office, NHS Centre for Reviews and Dissemination. ISBN 1 900640 16 3. September 2000
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Address for reprints: Publications Department, NHS Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, University of York, Heslington, York YO10 5BB.
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Hausen, H. Some evidence that water fluoridation reduces inequalities in dental health across social classes. Evid Based Dent 3, 41–42 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ebd.6400102
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ebd.6400102