The American Dental Association reiterated its support for water fluoridation after a new research review claimed that the practice is less effective.
Seven things to know:
1. Researchers from three universities in the United Kingdom reviewed more than 150 studies that compared communities in high-income countries that had fluoride added to their water with those that had no additional fluoride in the water.
2. The researchers concluded that community water fluoridation is less effective now than during the 1970s when fluoride toothpaste became more widely available.
3. The researchers stated that the impact of water fluoridation in low- and middle-income countries is less clear because of the lack of recent research.
4. ADA President Linda Edgar, DDS, pointed to other studies that show community water fluoridation prevents at least 25% of tooth decay in children and adults even with the widespread availability of various fluoride sources.
5. The ADA said the review "does not present any new or significant findings on the subject."
6. The ADA's National Fluoridation Advisory Committee noted several issues with the review, including a lack of high quality studies, criteria limitations and the omission of significant findings, such as studies showing the negative impacts on public health after fluoride is removed from water supply.
7. The ADA's comments on the review come after the organization first reaffirmed its support for water fluoridation following a new National Toxicology Program report that linked higher fluoride exposure to lower IQs in children.