Fluoride is a naturally occurring element. It is found in rocks and soil everywhere, in fresh water and ocean water at various concentrations ranging from low to very high concentrations. In fact, water sources in and around Fiji have fluoride content of <0.05mg/l, which is of very low concentration from the recommended dosage of 0.6 to 1ppm.

 Since the community water fluoridation began in 1945, about 65 years ago in the United States, there has been a remarkable decline in tooth decay with each generation enjoying better oral health than the previous generation. 72% of the USA population are now reaping the benefits of water fluoridation in their community water system. Canada, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe to name a few has implemented water fluoridation in some of their areas.

 Water fluoridation is safe for consumption. Fluoride has been extensively studied for many years and it is constantly being re-evaluated and analysed. Consistently, researchers from numerous different disciplines (physiology, toxicology, medicine, dentistry, public health, nutrition) have lines of evidence and analysis that all come to the same conclusions—fluoride is safe, effective, and cost effective. This method of fluoride delivery (water fluoridation) will benefit all people of all ages and social economic status.

 While dental decay is reduced by fluoridated toothpaste and mouth rinses, professional fluoride treatments, and fluoride dietary supplements, the fluoridation of water is the most cost-effective method.

It provides the greatest benefit to those who can least afford preventive and restorative dentistry and reduces dental disease, loss of teeth, time away from work or school, and anaesthesia-related risks associated with dental treatment.

 In fact, fluoride's cavity-fighting effectiveness is so great that community water fluoridation was hailed as one of the Ten Great Public Health Achievements of the 20th century by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

 The report on scientific reviews of a large number of research studies concluded that there was an average 15% increase in the number of caries-free children in communities with fluoridated water. The largest ever study carried out by the US National Cancer Institute showed no increase in cancer incidence or mortality associated with fluoridation.

The recent National Oral Health Survey 2004 revealed that dental caries is very prevalent in all the age groups examined with 88.3% in primary teeth and 79.3% in permanent teeth showing signs of caries ( ie. Including filled or unfilled teeth with decay, missing teeth, and filled teeth with decay).

Hence, implementing water fluoridation in Fiji will tremendously help in the increase of caries-free children, and reduces the oral disease burden, which in turn will decrease the cost of service delivery in the near future...