While acknowledging ongoing public discussion about community water fluoridation, the Australian Dental Association NSW strongly reaffirms its support for fluoridated drinking water supplies as a safe, effective, and evidence-based public health measure that plays a critical role in preventing dental decay across the lifespan.
Community water fluoridation is endorsed by reputable health authorities in Australia and internationally, including the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), the World Health Organization, the Australian Medical Association and state health departments. These organisations agree that fluoridation at the levels used in Australian drinking water supplies is safe and substantially reduces tooth decay for people of all ages.
The NHMRC’s comprehensive scientific review found that fluoridated water significantly reduces dental decay in children and adults and that there is no reliable evidence linking fluoridation at current Australian levels to adverse health outcomes.
Fluoride works by strengthening tooth enamel and enhancing remineralisation, helping to prevent cavities before they begin: a benefit confirmed by decades of peer-reviewed research. A recent large Queensland oral health study also showed a marked reduction in tooth decay among children in fluoridated communities.
Tooth decay remains one of the most common chronic conditions in Australia and is preventable. It can cause pain, infection, missed school or work, and costly dental treatment. Water fluoridation is one of the most equitable ways to protect oral health, particularly for children and for communities with reduced access to dental services.
ADA NSW recognises the importance of informed and respectful public debate. However, claims that fluoridation is akin to “mass medication”, that it lacks scientific support, or that it creates uncontrolled risks are not supported by the breadth of scientific evidence or the consensus of public health experts.
ADA NSW encourages the public to rely on evidence from independent scientific and health agencies, rather than misleading narratives that can undermine well-established, beneficial health policies.
