Water fluoridation, poverty and tooth decay in 12-year-old children.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the influence of water fluoridation, and socio-economic deprivation on tooth decay in the permanent dentition of 12 year old children.


METHODS
The North of England, fluoridated Newcastle and non-fluoridated Liverpool. A total of 6,638 children were examined.


METHODS
Multiple Regression analysis of fluoride status, mean electoral ward DMFT in 1992/93 and ward Townsend Scores from the 1991 census.


RESULTS
Social deprivation and tooth decay were significantly correlated in areas with and without water fluoridation. Multiple linear regression showed a statistically significant interaction between ward Townsend score, mean DMFT and water fluoridation, showing that the more deprived the area the greater the reduction in tooth decay. At a Townsend score of zero (the English average) there was a predicted 37% reduction in decay in 12-year-olds in fluoridated wards.


CONCLUSIONS
Tooth decay is strongly associated with social deprivation. The findings confirm that the implementation of water fluoridation has markedly reduced tooth decay in 12-year-old children and that socio-economic dental health inequalities are reduced.
Jones
C M
CM
Highland Health Board, Assynt House, Beechwood Park, Inverness, UK.
Worthington
H
H
D002648:Child; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005457:Fluoridation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D016018:Least-Squares Analysis; D016014:Linear Models; D011203:Poverty / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012923:Social Class