Latest Research
To ensure that you are accessing the most accurate information possible,
this section offers independent summaries of the most up-to-date and scientifically valid research available. All the research has been independently reviewed by academic experts from a number of fields to give you an objective analysis.
We have grouped the research into themes, click on the following for more information:
Water Fluoridation
'A systematic review of water fluoridation'
(NHS Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, University of York, 2000)
The York review looked at scientific literature from the last 50 years and followed the principle of a systematic review. It only included reports of acceptable quality and did not discuss non-essential literature or examine reasons for some results.
NFIC has produced a briefing sheet outlining the key outcomes from the review.
A systematic review of the efficacy and safety of fluoridation. Australian Government. National Health and Medical Research Council.
This recent systematic review by the Australian Government examines the evidence for the efficacy and safety of different forms of fluoridation. Methods considered are water, milk, salt, toothpaste and gels. They recommended that water be fluoridated in the range 0.6-1.1mg/L depending on climate to balance the reduction in caries and occurrence of fluorosis.
It has been announced recently that the state of Queensland has decided to implement water fluoridation.
Critical review of any new evidence on the hazard profile, health effects, and human exposure to fluoride and the fluoridating agents of drinking water
Considering previous opinions from EFSA and SCCP, SCHER has reviewed the newest information in the area on risk and benefit of using fluoridated drinking water and intake of fluoride from all sources.
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Effectiveness of fluoride in preventing caries in adults.
This meta-analysis examined the effectiveness of self and professionally applied fluoride and water fluoridation in adults. A total of 20 studies were included. Their findings suggested that fluoride prevents caries among adults of all ages. Water fluoridation reduced caries in adults by 27%.
The American Public Health Association (APHA) Policy Statement on Water Fluoridation
The most up to date policy by the American Public Health Association (APHA) on community water fluoridation (CWF).
Water fluoridation and health
(Medical Research Council, London, 2002)
One of the conclusions of 'A systematic review of water fluoridation', (University of York, 2000), was that little high quality research had been carried out in this field. Also the evidence available did not allow confident estimates of the benefits and risks of water fluoridation to be made. Therefore, the Department of Health requested the Medical Research Council to consider what further research was required to improve knowledge about fluoridation and health.
NFIC has produced a briefing sheet outlining the key outcomes from the review.
Fluoride Toothpaste
a comparison between different concentrations of fluoride toothpaste for preventing tooth decay in children and adolescents
This review determines the relative effectiveness of fluoride toothpastes of different concentrations in preventing dental caries in children and adolescents, and to examine the potentially modifying effects of baseline caries level and supervised toothbrushing
Caries prevalence four years after the end of a randomised controlled trial. 2007.
Summary: A 30 month randomised clinical trial involving 5 year olds at the outset demonstrated that the group who had received supervised brushing at school with toothpaste containing 1000 ppmF and encouragement to brush twice a day at home had significantly less caries of first permanent molars after 30 months than a control group. 4.5 years after finishing the trial the group who had received supervised brushing at school plus home support package still had significantly less caries in the first permanent molars than the control group.
Fluoride toothpastes of different concentrations for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents
This review confirms the benefits of using fluoride toothpaste in preventing caries in children and adolescents when compared to placebo, but only significantly for fluoride concentrations of 1000 ppm and above. The relative caries preventive effects of fluoride toothpastes of different concentrations increase with higher fluoride concentration. The decision of what fluoride levels to use for children under 6 years should be balanced with the risk of fluorosis.
High Fluoride Toothpastes: Their Potential Role in a Caries Prevention Programme
This paper reviews the clinical evidence for the effectiveness of two, prescription only, toothpastes which contain 2800 and 5000 ppm F. The potential benefit of these toothpastes for high caries risk adolescents, adults and the elderly are discussed.
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The Effect of Brushing Time and Dentifrice on Dental Plaque Removal in vivo
This study concluded that oral health care professionals should reinforce efforts to persuade patients to brush for longer periods of time, as increasing brushing time to the consensus minimum of 2 minutes from a more typical 45 seconds increases plaque removal to an extent likely to provide clinically significant oral health benefits.
Fluoride Varnish
Caries preventive effectiveness of a fluoride varnish : A randomised controlled trial in adolescents with fixed orthodontic appliances. 2007.
In this randomised clinical trial one group of adolescents who had fixed appliances had fluoride varnish applied every 6 weeks until the brackets were removed; the control group received a placebo varnish. The incidence of white spot lesions in the fluoride varnish group was 7.4% compared with 25.7% in the placebo group.
Fluoride Varnish and Children
A two-year study looking at the effectiveness of fluoride varnish in preventing tooth decay in children has demonstrated that the application of fluoride varnish to the teeth of very young children (average age 1.8 years) does significantly reduce tooth decay.
No adverse events were reported.
Fluoride varnish efficacy in preventing early childhood caries. 2006.
This two year randomised trial compared fluoride varnish application plus parental counselling with parental counselling in children initially aged approximately 2 years. Children who received fluoride varnish, either once or twice a year, plus counselling significantly reduced the incidence of early childhood caries.
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Pit and fissure sealants versus fluoride varnishes for preventing dental decay in children and adolescents
This study compares the effectiveness of pit and fissure sealants with fluoride varnishes in the prevention of dental decay on occlusal surfaces.
Sealant and fluoride varnish in caries: a randomised trial. 2005.
This is the report of a follow up study of Bravo et al. 1996. Community Dental Oral Epidemiology. 24: 42-46. When they reported that after 24 months children who had received sealants had a reduction in occlusal caries in the first permanent molars of 77% compared to controls; those who had received varnish had a 38% reduction cp with controls. Five years after discontinuing the trial, the percentages of first molars that had developed occlusal caries were 77, 27 and 56 for control, sealant and varnish respectively.
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The Application of Fluoride Varnish in the Prevention and Control of Dental Caries
The method of applying fluoride varnish is described and the evidence of its effectiveness in the prevention and control of caries is summarized. The application of fluoride varnish should be an integral part of caries preventive programmes.
This paper describes how to apply fluoride varnish and reviews its effectiveness in preventing caries.
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Other Fluoride Uses
A literature review of aesthetic perceptions of dental fluorosis and relationships with psychosocial aspects/oral health-related quality of life
This review assesses the relationships between perceptions of dental appearance/oral health-related quality of life and concluded that because dental fluorosis in the USA and oher nations without high levels of naturally-occurring fluoride is mild or very mild, with little impact on OHRQoL, dental professionals should emphasize the appropriate use of fluorides for caries prevention and preventing moderate/severe fluorosis
Dental caries affects body weight, growth and quality of life in pre-school children
This review indicates that treating dental caries in pre-school children would increase growth rates and the quality of life of millions of children. Obviously, prevention of caries would be preferable to treatment, but the high level of untreated caries worldwide suggests that current preventive approaches are not working.
Dental caries and childhood obesity: roles of diet and socioeconomic status
The research aimed to determine if caries and obesity were associated in a pediatric population and if so, then to explore diet and socioeconomic status as additional risk factors.
The study found that caries and obesity coexist in children of low socioeconomic status. Public health measures to improve dietary education and access to appropriate foodstuffs could decrease the risk of both diseases.
European Food Safety Authority Review Summary
Summary of a review by the European Food Safety Authority of the data on the dental and general health effects of fluoride - (February 2005).
Fluoride effectiveness in adults
A recent study has analysed the results of previous research looking at the effectiveness of fluoride in preventing tooth decay in adults. A total of 20 studies were investigated and the findings concluded that any fluoride use (whether self applied, professionally applied or fluoridated water) significantly reduced decay in the crowns and roots of adults.
Fluoride supplements, dental caries and fluorosis
This study was commissioned by the American Dental Association Council to supply the evidence basis for the development of clinical recommendations on the use of fluoride supplements in children aged 0 to 16 years. The report examines evidence regarding the effectiveness of fluoride supplements in preventing caries and association with dental fluorosis.
Infant formula feed, water fluoridation and risk of fluorosis
Some concern has been expressed that small children, fed formula milk made with fluoridated water, may be at increased risk of developing mild or moderate fluorosis. There is a theoretical cause for concern but in Australia and Ireland, both of which are fluoridated, the expert opinion is parents should continue to reconstitute infant formula with boiled water. There are certainly no health risks associated with the use of fluoridated water to reconstitute baby formula.
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Public Health: Ethical Issues. Nuffield Council on Bioethics.
Produced by the Nuffield Council on Bioethics, this publication provides a succinct overview of the ethical issues that impact on public health. Chapter 7 is devoted to the pros and cons of water fluoridation which will be of interest to anyone considering the implementation of this public health measure.
Risk-Benefit Balance in the Use of Fluoride among Young Children
This study aimed to evaluate the risk-benefit balance of several fluoride exposures. Fluoride exposure history of randomly selected children was collected for calculation of exposure to fluoridated water, toothpaste, and other fluoride sources. Evaluation of the risk-benefit balance of fluoride exposure provides evidence to assist in the formulation of appropriate guidelines for fluoride use.
Silver Diamine Fluoride: A Caries 'Silver-Fluoride Bullet'
Thsi paper looks at silver diamine fluoride's (SDF) hypothesized ability to halt the caries process and simultaneously prevent the formation of new caries.
The dental caries experience of 5-year-old children in Great Britain (2005/6).
This paper, co-ordinated by the British Association for the Study of Community Dentistry, reports the results of standardized clinical caries examinations of 5-year-old children from across England, Wales and Scotland in 2005/6. These co-ordinated surveys seek to monitor the dental health of children and to assess the delivery of dental services.
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Fluoride Supplements
Fluoride Supplements, dental caries and flourosis - A systematic review.
The study examines the evidence regarding the effectiveness of fluoride supplements in preventing caries and their associated dental flourosis
