New Data Reinforces Case for Fluoridation
Health officials in Australia have released new data that strengthen the case for fluoridating drinking water. These data show that young children living in non-fluoridated regions of New South Wales — the most populated state in Australia — were hospitalized for fillings or tooth extractions at a rate 70 percent higher than children in the same age group in fluoridated areas.
The analysis examined the number of children up to the age of 4 who required dental-related procedures at hospitals. Chris Ingall, a pediatrician in the non-fluoridated city of Lismore, called the rate of dental decay in his region “extremely high,” especially among low-income children.
