07 MAR 2025
Today, the Government has announced the largest expansion of water fluoridation in England since the 1980s, aiming to reach an additional 1.6 million people across the North East.
The initiative is designed to tackle tooth decay, particularly in deprived areas where dental health inequalities are most pronounced.
Fluoride, a naturally occurring mineral, has been shown to reduce tooth decay, and fluoridation schemes have been in place in parts of England since the 1960s. Currently, around 10% of England’s population receives fluoridated water, mainly in the West Midlands and the North East.
Following a public consultation, the Department of Health and Social Care confirmed the expansion would cover areas including Darlington, Durham, Newcastle, Sunderland, and Middlesbrough. The move is backed by decades of evidence showing that fluoridation is a safe and effective public health measure. However, a recent review suggested that the benefits of water fluoridation hav… Source by Oral Health Foundation Read More
