Water fluoridation to be expanded across North Tyneside
More than 1.5m people in the North East – including in North Tyneside – are to have their water supply fluoridated in a bid to tackle high levels of tooth decay in the region.
Nationally, tooth decay is the most common reason children aged five to nine are admitted to hospital.
Last year the North East had the second highest rate in England of hospital tooth extractions for decayed teeth for under 19s, with 82 per cent more than the national average.
Fluoride, a naturally occurring mineral, has been shown to reduce tooth decay and Northumbrian Water has been supplying artificially fluoridated water since the late 1960s to Chester-le-Street, Consett, and Stanley in County Durham, Alnwick, Hexham and Cramlington in Northumberland and parts of North Tyneside, Newcastle and Gateshead.
DHSC will now expand the scheme to Darlington, Durham, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland, South Tyneside, Stockton, Sunderland and areas not currently covered in Gateshead, Newcastle, Northumberland and North Tyneside.
About one in 10 people in England currently have fluoride added to their water supplies.
The decision follows a four month consultation exercise last year which more than 3,300 people took part in, with 56 per cent of respondents to an online survey in the areas proposed to be added supporting the move.
The College of General Dentistry said it supported the expansion of the fluoridation scheme: “Tooth decay is the most prevalent disease in the UK, and the College supports localised water fluoridation as one means to help reduce its incidence and severity, and the consequent need for invasive oral health interventions, particularly in areas of high need.”
Jennifer Owen, a Gateshead dentist and Chair of the Regional Local Dental Committee, is also in favour. She said: “Fluoride makes enamel stronger and more stable, making it less susceptible to tooth decay.
“As a dentist we will always actively encourage brushing twice a day and reducing sugary foods and drinks, but, by making our enamel stronger, and reducing the ability of bacteria to produce tooth decay we are benefiting the whole population. How can we ethically deny this huge health benefit to so many, when we have the means and infrastructure to provide it?”
Sir Liam Donaldson, Chair of the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) said: “The decision to introduce water fluoridation in the region is long overdue and will be a huge step forward for better health and narrowing the health inequalities gap. Severe dental decay, especially in our poorer areas, means that our children suffer levels of pain and misery which are avoidable.
“Some parts of the region already have naturally occurring fluoride in their water, and this has been shown to safely protect the children who benefit by living in fluoridated areas. Alongside this important dental health measure, we are also putting more money into urgent dental services in the North East and North Cumbria.
“Global health experts have described water fluoridation as one of the top public health achievements, alongside tobacco control, vaccination and food safety.”
The DHSC said the expansion of community water fluoridation needed to be complemented by targeted interventions in areas at higher risk of tooth decay, such as a supervised toothbrushing programme for three to five year olds across the most deprived communities in England.
Other measures include working with the food industry to make further progress on reducing levels of sugar in food and drink and ensure it is easier for people to make healthier choices, and improving access to NHS dentistry with 700,000 more urgent dental appointments.
For more information visit:
https://cgdent.uk/2024/08/06/college-supports-water-fluoridation-in-the-north-east/