Irish Expert Body on Fluorides and Health 2008.pdf

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The Irish Expert Body on Fluorides and Health
An Corpán Oilte Éireannach um Fluairídí agus Sláinte
FLUORIDE AND PUBLIC HEALTH
FLUORIDE CONTRIBUTES TO ORAL AND OVERALL HEALTH
Fluoride plays an important role in improving overall health amongst the
population by reducing the occurrence of dental caries (decay). Dental caries
has been shown to have a negative impact on the quality of life, psychological
and social aspects of children’s lives. As such, healthcare professionals play a
pivotal role in clarifying for members of the public the safety of fluoride and its
important influence in preventing dental caries and thereby improving
overall health.
In Ireland, water fluoridation plays a key role in counterbalancing the effects of
poor tooth brushing habits and increasing rates of snacking on sugary foods
and drinks amongst the Irish population, in particular amongst children and
teenagers. As an Irish public health policy for over 40 years, water fluoridation
has resulted in a reduction of over 80 per cent in decayed, missing (extracted)
and filled teeth (DMFT) in Ireland for 12 year-old children living in areas
supplied by fluoridated drinking The DMFT is a measure of the total
dental caries experience to date in the permanent teeth. The teeth of 12 year-
olds are used in order to facilitate p