Water fluoridation has a lower environmental impact than other preventive methods for tooth decay, according to researchers. The study’s findings also enhance the case for water fluoridation programmes to minimise dental decay, particularly in the most vulnerable groups.
One of the most significant public health interventions of the twentieth
century is water fluoridation. However, as the climate crisis develops, the role of
healthcare and disease prevention in the issue must be examined. Action is
required immediately.
Influenced by this urgency, researchers quantified the environmental impact of
water fluoridation on a single five-year-old child over a one-year period. They
compared it to the traditional usage of fluoride varnish and toothbrushingprogrammes, both in the UK and abroad.
Today, more than 35% of the world’s population has access to fluoridated water, and studies demonstrate considerable decreases in tooth cavities. While
statistics on the clinical effectiveness and cost-benefit analyses of water
fluoridation are available, but there is currently no evidence of its environmental impact.
To assess this impact, the research team conducted a Life Cycle Assessment
(CA) by meticulously calculating the combined travel, weight and quantities of
all items and activities involved in all three preventative programmes
(toothbrushing, fluoride varnish programmes, and water fluoridation). Data
were entered into a specific environmental application (OpenLCA), and the
the team used the Ecoinvent database to determine environmental outputs such
as carbon footprint, the quantity of water required for each product, and land
use.
According to the study’s findings, which were led by Brett Duane, Associate
Professor in Dental Public Health at Trinity College, water fluoridation had the
lowest environmental impact in all categories studied and the lowest disability-
adjusted life years impact when compared to all other community-level caries
prevention programmes. The study also discovered that water fluoridation
provides the best return on investment.
Researchers feel that water fluoridation should be the preventative
the intervention of choice due to the balance of clinical effectiveness, financial
effectiveness, and environmental sustainability.
This study adds to the international case for water fluoridation programmes to
minimise dental decay, particularly among the most vulnerable people.
Duane, Associate Professor, stated, “As the climate problem worsens, we must
find strategies to avoid disease in order to lessen the environmental impact of
our health-care systems.” This study clearly shows that water fluoridation has a
low carbon footprint as an effective preventative technique.”
Professor Paul Ashley, Senior Clinical Lecturer (Honorary NHS Consultant) at the
University College London Eastman Dental Institute, added: “There should be
renewed efforts to promote access to this intervention.”
