Fluoridated water has been known for many years to confer a significant advantage over non-fluoridated water for demonstrating a beneficial impact on dental health. In 2005-6 the British Association for the Study of Community Dentistry (BASCD) surveyed 5yr olds dental health and discovered fluoridated water was provided to six out of the top ten places in Britain with the lowest degree of tooth decay. Children in South Staffordshire showed the best dental health where fluoridated water is routinely provided.

Southampton, where fluoridated water is currently not provided shows a worryingly high level of tooth decay with up to 42% of 5yr old children experiencing dental decay. 2,900 teeth were extracted under general anaesthetic from 520 children in Southampton during 2007 reinforcing the severity of this issue.

South Central Strategic Health Authority (SHA) has decided to proceed with their proposed scheme to fluoridate water in Southampton and parts of South-West Hampshire after a staggering 10,000 responses were received following a public consultation. The British Dental Association (BDA) applauds this decision.

Professor Damien Walmsley, BDA Scientific Advisor commented on the proposed plan saying, “We look forward to the day when we see fewer children in Southampton having to endure the pain and discomfort of decayed teeth or the trauma of having a tooth extracted as a result of adopting this initiative. We believe that fluoridation is a safe and effective method of reducing dental decay and oral health inequalities”.

It is hoped that following the decision in South Central, which will directly affect 193,000 people other SHAs in England will follow suit launching their own consultations. The consultations will result in water companies being compelled to fluoridate water if such a proposal is accepted with the hope to provide better dental health for the entire country. 

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The survey of 2,631 adults about access to NHS dental treatment, also found that 1 in 10 have attempted to extract a tooth by using a piece of string attached to a door handle. Other methods of DIY dental treatment include using household glue or chewing gum to fix a crown or filling, and attempting to use domestic cleaning agents to whiten teeth.

It is not completely clear what the main driving force is for people to resort to such measures. Reasons may be concerns about the financial expense of dental care, dental phobias or difficulties in getting access to NHS dental care.

Dental health advisors have warned of the unnecessary dangers of such DIY dentistry, such as infection, poisoning or painful complications – which might far outweigh the £16 fee for a proper dental check up.

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