• C M Jones and H Worthington.
• Wigan & Bolton Health Authority.
• Br Dent J. 1999 Apr 24;186(8):397-400.

AimTo examine the relationship between water fluoridation, socioeconomic deprivation and tooth decay in 5-year-olds.Setting10,004 children: 1,051 in naturally fluoridated Hartlepool in 1991/92, 3,816 in fluoridated Newcastle & North Tyneside and 5,137 in non-fluoridated Salford & Trafford in 1993/94.Outcome MeasuresCorrelations between mean electoral ward dmft and ward Townsend Scores from the 1991 census.ResultsRegardless of the level of water fluoridation significant correlations were found between deprivation and tooth decay. Multiple linear regression models for dmft showed a statistically significant interaction between ward Townsend score, and both types of water fluoridation, confirming 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 43% reduction in decay in 5-year-olds in fluoridated areas.ConclusionsTooth decay is strongly associated with social deprivation. The findings confirm that the implementation of water fluoridation has halved tooth decay in 5-year-old children and that the dental caries divide between rich and poor is reduced.

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