Community Water Fluoridation for Patea and Waverley An opportunity to make a difference
Presenters Mr Tony Foulkes Chief Executive Taranaki DHB Dr David Antunovic Clinical Leader Dental Taranaki DHB Dr Greg Simmons Medical Officer of Health Taranaki DHB Q&A Panel Members Dr Robin Whyman Public Health Dentist/National Fluoride Information Service Dr Stephen Palmer Public Health Physician/National Fluoride Information Service
Mr Tony Foulkes Chief Executive Taranaki District Health Board
Dr David Antunovic Dentist/Taranaki DHB Clinical Leader Dental BDS Dip Clin Dent (Perio) FRACDS (SND) FFMOP (RCPA)
Tooth decay
Prevalence of untreated decay by socio-demographic group 70 60 50 % 40 30 20 10 0 Male Fem ale M aori NonMaori Low Medium High G ender Ethnicity SE S
Twice the amount of decay in Patea and Waverley Dental decay in children aged 5 years who live in NZDep 10 areas - December 2011 Average number of teeth/surfaces 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 3.6 decayed missing filled teeth 2 7.8 3.7 decayed missing filled surfaces Waverley/Patea - Unfluoridated Waitara West/Marfell - Fluoridated
Oral Health Strategies Community Water Fluoridation Brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste Regular check-ups with a Dental Health Professional Good diet low in sugar
How fluoride protects teeth? Ingested fluoride acts on developing tooth structure Saliva bathing the tooth Surface effect This strengthens teeth, hardens enamel and reduces decay.
Community water fluoridation is effective 1 in 6 children free of decay who otherwise would not be (York Review) 30% decrease in tooth decay in children 4-17 years (Preventive Services Taskforce) The 2009 New Zealand Oral Health Survey showed that children and adults living in fluoridated areas had significantly lower lifetime experience of dental decay than those in non-fluoridated areas.
Who benefits the most? Young children Older adults At risk sick people e.g. with low immunity People from poorer communities Those who have the greatest oral health needs benefit the most.
Dr Greg Simmons Medical Officer of Health BHB, MBChB, Dip Obst, MPH, FRNZCGP FAFPHM, FNZCPHM
Claimed adverse health effects NO CREDIBLE SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE Skeletal fluorosis Bone fractures Cancer Bone cancer Brain function and IQ Heart disease Birth defects Arthritis Kidney damage Pineal gland effects Immune effects Thyroid disease Reproductive effects
Water fluoridation is supported by World Health Organisation (WHO) New Zealand Organisations: New Zealand Ministry of Health New Zealand Dental Council Te Ao Marama (NZ Maori Dental Association) New Zealand Medical Association Public Health Association NZ Cancer Society Plunket Royal Society of New Zealand International Organisations: British Medical Association British Dental Association Centres for Disease Control and Prevention US Surgeon-General US National Academy of Sciences World Dental Federation UK Royal College of Physicians Australian National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding available The Ministry of Health can provide 50-100% of the costs of fluoridation plant Focussed on areas: where fluoridation has not been in place of high socioeconomic need with populations with high oral health needs outside main urban areas
Most New Zealanders drink fluoridated water 56%
Increasing water fluoridation in Australia
Community water fluoridation Safe at recommended levels 0.7-1.0 ppm Effective especially for community members at greatest risk of poorer oral health Economical less than a dollar per person per year Fair - Those with the greatest oral health needs and the least available choice benefit the most
Recommendation Why should only Hawera enjoy the benefits of fluoridation in South Taranaki? This presents a great opportunity to extend the benefits of community water fluoridation to Patea and Waverley.