For more information on the anonymised dental data that we hold, please refer to the Privacy Notice<\/a> for our study.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text admin_label=”Links” _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n On this page:<\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.48″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Spacing” _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n \n <\/p>\n < Back to top<\/a><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/lotus\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/356\/2021\/12\/brushblur.png” _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Why fluoridate tap water?” _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.48″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Results left” _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n Over 10 years, people receiving optimally fluoridated water experienced a 3% reduction in NHS invasive dental treatments such as fillings and extractions, and a 2% reduction in the number of decayed, missing, and filled teeth, compared to those who received non-optimally fluoridated water.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Results Right” _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n The research team found no compelling evidence that water fluoridation reduced social inequalities in dental health, and the numbers of missing teeth between the groups were the same.<\/p>\n Between 2010 and 2020, optimal water fluoridation cost \u00a310.30 per person, NHS treatment costs were \u00a322.26 lower per person (5.5%), and patients paid \u00a37.64 less (2%) in dental charges.<\/p>\n We estimate that if 62% of the adults and teenagers in England attended NHS dental services at least twice within 10 years, the total return on investment would have been \u00a316.9 million between 2010 and 2020. This means that the costs of water fluoridation were recovered, and \u00a316.8 million saved on top as a result of lower NHS dental treatment costs.<\/p>\n This short animated video explains the study in more detail<\/a>.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.48″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Spacing” _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n \n <\/p>\n < Back to top<\/a><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/lotus\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/356\/2021\/12\/brushblur.png” _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Why fluoridate tap water?” _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.48″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Why left” _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n Adding fluoride to the public water supply (fluoridation of tap water) has been strongly promoted by dental professionals since the 1950s. However, only about 10% of the people in England receive water containing close to the government\u2019s recommended fluoride level of 1 mg\/litre.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Why Right” _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n Fewer children now have tooth decay, and more adults keep their permanent teeth into old age. This is put down to using toothpastes that contain fluoride.<\/p>\n In the early 1970s, almost everyone experienced decay in their permanent teeth by late childhood, and more than a third of adults had no natural teeth. In comparison, today we have problems due to decay that is slowed down but continues to progress through to late adult age instead.<\/p>\n For many people, this means repeated dental surgery visits, tooth drilling, filling and extractions, and the final outcome may still be complete tooth loss. During periods in between, there can also be varying levels of pain, anxiety and financial loss, making life miserable.<\/p>\n Wider use of water fluoridation is thought to be a practical, low-cost public health measure that could offer lifetime benefit in combating this slower form of adult tooth decay. However, little evidence for or against this in adults has been published, which is why our study of anonymised NHS dental care patient data was proposed.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.48″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Spacing” _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n \n <\/p>\n < Back to top<\/a><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text admin_label=”Area” _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.48″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_text admin_label=”AREA left” _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n The map below shows the small neighbourhood areas (LSOAs, covering around 1,500 people) that received fluoridated water between 2010 and 2020.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_text admin_label=”AREA Right” _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n Areas that received water with a fluoride concentration of 0.7 mg fluoride \/ litre or above are highlighted. The local authority boundary lines are illustrated. Areas that are coloured white are those where we did not receive any sample information from the water companies.<\/p>\n Local authorities in which all of their neighbourhoods were fluoridated during this time were:<\/p>\n The water in Hartlepool has naturally higher levels of fluoride. This comes from the rocks that the water passes through.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n Not Fluoridated [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.48″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Spacing” _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n \n <\/p>\n < Back to top<\/a><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/lotus\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/356\/2021\/12\/water3.png” _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Accessing” _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.48″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Accessing left” _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n This is the first time that such detailed information on fluoride levels in England has been available.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Accessing Right” _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n We have made the data that we created on water fluoride concentrations publicly available. It can be used by other researchers under a creative commons license. This means that the data can be shared and adapted with appropriate attribution.<\/p>\n The dataset<\/a> can be downloaded from The University of Manchester\u2019s Open Data Repository, Figshare.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/figshare.manchester.ac.uk\/articles\/dataset\/Water_fluoride_concentrations_mgF_L_per_LSOA_in_England_2009_-_2020_\/15104730″ button_text=”Download our data” _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_button][et_pb_text admin_label=”Accessing Right 2″ _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n The information available includes:<\/p>\n The image below shows a snapshot of the dataset that can be found in the Figshare open data repository.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.48″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Spacing” _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n \n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/lotus\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/356\/2022\/01\/Screenshot-2022-01-12-1258455.png” _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.48″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Spacing” _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n \n <\/p>\n < Back to top<\/a><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text admin_label=”Funding” _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.48″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Funding left” _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n This study is funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Public Health Research: NIHR128533.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Funding Right” _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care.<\/p>\n The study started on 1 February 2020 and is set to submit results to the funding committee, NIHR, on 31 July 2022. This includes a 6-month extension to the study due the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/lotus\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/356\/2021\/12\/NIHR_Logos_Funded-by_COL_RGB.jpg” _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.48″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Spacing” _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n \n <\/p>\n < Back to top<\/a><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text admin_label=”Useful documents” _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.48″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Useful documents Right” _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.48″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Spacing” _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n \n <\/p>\n < Back to top<\/a><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text admin_label=”Contact” _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.48″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Contact us left” _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n Ms Deborah Moore, Research Associate<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Contact Right” _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n Email: deborah.moore-2@manchester.ac.uk<\/a>.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.48″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Spacing” _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n \n <\/p>\n < Back to top<\/a><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Connect Title” module_class=”footer-section” _builder_version=”3.0.90″ background_color=”#1d1d1d” custom_padding=”0px||0px|” global_module=”380″][et_pb_row parallax_method_1=”off” parallax_method_2=”off” parallax_method_3=”off” admin_label=”row” module_id=”footer-row” _builder_version=”3.0.89″ locked=”off”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”off”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Contact Us Title” _builder_version=”3.0.74″ text_text_color=”#ffffff” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_layout=”dark”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Contact Us” module_class=”contact-us” _builder_version=”3.0.87″ text_text_color=”#aaaaaa” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]<\/p>\n +44 (0) 161 306 6000<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”off”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Find Us Title” _builder_version=”3.0.74″ text_text_color=”#ffffff” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_layout=”dark”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Address” module_id=”address” _builder_version=”3.0.87″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_layout=”dark” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]<\/p>\n\n
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Results<\/h2>\n
Academic publications<\/h3>\n
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\u00a0BDJ Open 7, 2021.<\/li>\nWhy fluoridate tap water?<\/h2>\n
Areas with fluoridated water<\/h2>\n
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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/lotus\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/356\/2022\/01\/LOTUS-map-imagery-2.png\")
\u00a0<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/lotus\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/356\/2022\/01\/Artificially-44px-100.jpg\")
Fluoridated<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/lotus\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/356\/2022\/01\/Naturally-44px-100.jpg\")
Naturally Fuoridated<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/lotus\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/356\/2022\/01\/Not-44px-100.jpg\")
<\/p>\nAccessing our data<\/h2>\n
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Funding<\/h2>\n
Useful documents<\/h2>\n
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Contact us<\/h2>\n
Contact Us<\/h4>\n
Find Us<\/h4>\n
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