Qld research debunks fluoride health risks

New Queensland research has busted the biggest argument against fluoridation, as momentum grows for mandatory treatment of all Queensland water.

University of Queensland School of Dentistry professor Loc Do

As the state’s peak medical bodies push for a statewide water fluoridation mandate, new research has busted the biggest argument against the tooth-strengthening mineral entering water systems.

A University of Queensland study has found no link between exposure to water fluoridation as a young child and negative cognitive development.

Study author and University of Queensland School of Dentistry professor Loc Do said: “There have been constant claims that water fluoridation can negatively affect children’s neurodevelopment, but these results provide consistent evidence this is not the case.

“Water fluoridation, as practised in Australia, is safe for children’s development.”

A veteran researcher in the area of water fluoridation, ­Prof Do said policymakers must look at the ­science behind fluoridation.

“Fluoridation needs urgent attention, dental health has not improved in the last few decades,” Prof Do said.

The Australian Medical ­Association Queensland and the Australian Dental Association Queensland have written a joint letter to the relevant ­ministers and all councils in Queensland calling for a ­statewide mandate on water fluoridation.

The letter raised concerns about the increasing prevalence and severity of oral ­disease, particularly among children.

The UQ team tested the IQ of 357 people who had participated in the 2012-14 National Child Oral Health Study and they were assessed by registered psychologists to see if their exposure to fluoride as a young child affected their brain development.

With the participants now aged 16 to 26 years, the researchers found that those who had consistently been drinking fluoridated water had an IQ score 1.07 points higher on average than those with no exposure.

“We also found people who had dental fluorosis – a reliable biomarker related to excessive fluoride intake in early childhood – had IQ scores 0.28 points higher on average than those without,” Prof Do said.

“Factors which may affect the relationship between ­fluoride and IQ, such as socio-economic status, were taken into account when determining the results.”

Study co-author Diep Ha said that water fluoridation was highly effective in preventing dental decay.

“Approximately 90 per cent of the Australian population has access to water fluoridation, but many regional and remote areas are not covered,” Dr Ha said.

“Dental decay or cavities are the most common chronic childhood disease worldwide, which can be quite painful, and teeth often have to be removed.

“Fluoridation is very effective in preventing these issues and this research provides reassurance that it is safe to be expanded into more communities.”

The university’s research is published in the Journal of Dental Research.

Originally published as Qld research debunks fluoride health risks