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and to advise whether fluorides should be added to the water supplies in the United
Kingdom.
The report of the mission which was published in 1953 stated that the results
emerging in the areas in North America where the water was being fluoridated were
similar to those where fluoride occurs naturally.
The mission concluded that fluoridation of water supplies was a valuable health
measure through its effect in reducing the incidence, of dental caries, but recommended
that in this Country fluoride should be added to the water supplies of some selected
communities before its general adoption was considered.
The British series of examinations commenced in 1955 and fluoride was added to
waters late in 1955 and 1956.
The report at present deals only with the deciduous teeth of children aged 3 to
7 years and on the full dentition for children 3 and 4 years old but on canines and
molars only for children aged 5 to 7 years.
The reduction in caries amounted to 66% in the 3 year old children and 57% at
4 years and 50% at 5 years.
In children of 6 and 7 years whose teeth had not had the full benefit of fluoride
the reductions were 26% and 14% respectively.
All the 3 and 4 year old children in the fluoridation areas have had fluoride
for the whole of their lives and during the whole period of foetal development. These
children are likely, therefore, to have received the maximum benefit.
The majority of the five year old children will have taken fluoridated water
only since birth.
Date for combined study areas, excluding Holyhead:-
1955/56 prior to fluoridation children aged 3 years had 3.80 carious teeth on average
1961 """""1.29""""
Corresponding figures for 4 year olds 5.39 and 2.31
" " " 5 " " 5.81 and 2.91
Reductions in caries equal 66% in 3 year olds
" " " " 57% in 4 " "
" " " " 50% in 5 " "
To be fully effective fluorine must be absorbed continuously during the whole
period of tooth formation and calcification. The teeth must then erupt and be exposed
to the risk of caries for a reasonable period before any reliable assessment can be
made of the extent of caries prevention.
Pour conclusions have been arrived at:-
1. Five years of fluoridation at a level of 1 part per million in three study
areas has brought about in each a substantial improvement in the teeth of
young children.
2. The results of fluoridation obtained so far are in line with American
experience.
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