Exposure to fluoridated water by young children is not negatively linked with child emotional and behavioural development, a study says.
Published in the Journal of Dental Research (JDR),the research found that fluoride in water is ‘unquestionably effective’ in preventing decay in children.
Percent lifetime exposed to fluoridated water (%LEFW) from birth to the age of five years was estimated from residential history and postcode-level fluoride levels in public tap water.
Participants aged five to 10 years at the baseline were contacted again after seven to eight years, before they had turned 18.
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The lifetime level of exposure to fluoridated water from birth to the age of five years was estimated from residential history and postcode-level fluoride levels in public tap water
Children’s emotional and behavioural development were assessed using the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Executive functioning was measured using the Behaviour Inventory of Executive Functioning (BRIEF).
Researchers concluded that exposure to fluoridated water during the first five years of life was not associated with changes in child emotional and behavioural development.
Emotional, behavioural development and executive functioning of participants was at least equivalent to that of children who had no exposure to fluoridated water.
Important addition
‘Water fluoridation is unquestionably effective in preventing dental caries,’ said said IADR president Brian O’Connell, dean of the faculty of health sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland.
‘This study is an important addition to the body of literature documenting the safety of water fluoridation.
‘The IADR recently reaffirmed its support for water fluoridation as this public health measure has a high benefit/cost ratio and benefits deprived communities the most, thus reducing health inequalities.’
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