The ADA and ADAQ have welcomed the official report release of the Queensland Child Oral Health Study 2022-24 (QCOHS II), calling for responsibility for water fluoridation to be returned to the State Government.
The study—led by the University of Queensland in collaboration with many partners including Queensland Health—clearly highlights the positive impact and effectiveness of public water fluoridation. The overall prevalence of tooth decay in the 5-to-10-year cohort dropped from 49.5 per cent to 39.4 per cent, but only where water fluoridation was retained. The many Queensland areas that remained unfluoridated over the period, or lost fluoridation, saw little or no change in tooth decay rates.
“Tooth decay is dropping across Queensland, which proves fluoridation works. But 30 per cent of Queensland kids are still missing out, and councils that opted out of water fluoridation over the last 10 years are still being left behind,” ADA president Dr Chris Sanzaro said.
“ADAQ has been very vocal in advocating for the return of control of water fluoridation to the State Government, after a decade of councils being allowed to call the shots on this important public health measure,” ADAQ president Dr Kelly Hennessy added.
“This study gives us up to date, local evidence on why fluoridation is important. It is the first time research has shown what fluoridation achieved for Queensland children’s teeth using a before-and-after study design. QCOHS II adjusted for health behaviours, including brushing, and the fluoridation benefits remained.”
Dr Sanzaro said the findings reinforced the ADA’s national policy position on fluoridation.
“All Australians should have equal access to the benefits of water fluoridation,” he said.
“Fluoridation of community water supplies is preferred as a safe, effective and ethical means of reducing tooth decay in all age groups and should be implemented and maintained wherever there is insufficient natural fluoride, with adequate control and supervision.
“Governments must adopt water fluoridation as part of health policy and actively promote its introduction, where it is feasible, as a public health measure.”
