A Queensland study has found no difference in development and function between kids who drank fluoridated water and those that didn’t.
The University of Queensland study lead and professor in dental public health, Loc Do, says “there was no difference in child development and function related to fluoridated water.”
The study was undertaken on some a range of children who lived in fluoridated water postcodes and on other children who did not.
The results found that emotional and behavioural development, memory, and self-control were the same in children who drank fluoridated water and those who did not.
“As a scientist and a health professional, we need to assure the public and the policymakers about the safety of the program we use for disease prevention,” he said.
The study came about after the determined efforts of a well-organised community opposed of fluoridation, based on research published out of China suggesting fluoride may affect child development.
Professor Do compared water fluoridation to common childhood vaccines, saying overwhelming evidence showed the shots were safe for children.
“This is an important message because fluoride is extremely effective in preventing tooth decay and its use in water and toothpaste is credited with significant improvements in child dental health in Australia,” continues Do.
Dental caries (also known as tooth decay or dental cavities) is the most common chronic childhood disease worldwide causing pain and infection and can lead to tooth extraction.
Approximately 90 per cent of the country’s water has fluoride added to it, although only 71 per cent of Queensland councils use fluoride.
The study is published in the Journal of Dental Research.
