Fluoridation
Fluoride is a natural element found in air, soil, fresh water, seawater, plants and lots of foods.
The most widely known and used topical fluorides are incorporated into toothpastes.
Fluoride works in three ways to help protect our teeth from decay:
- Fluoride makes teeth more resistant to decay by strengthening the tooth surface.
- Fluoride interferes with the growth of the bacteria which cause cavities.
- Fluoride helps to repair the early stages of tooth decay.
Water fluoridation
Water fluoridation is a proven public health measure to reduce dental caries.
The current level of fluoride found in the water supplies in New Zealand is not effective enough to be of benefit. Therefore increasing the fluoride found in the water supply to a safe level ensures oral health benefits to population of reticulated water supplies.
National Fluoride Information Service (NFIS)
The Ministry of Health has funded a National Fluoride Information Service (NFIS) to provide coordinated clinical and technical support and advice on water fluoridation to District Health Boards (DHBs), Territorial Local Authorities (TLAs) and the Ministry.
NFIS is a consortium led by Regional Public Health, and includes the Hutt Valley DHB Community Dental Services, Environmental Science and Research, Centre for Public Health Research at Massey University and the National Poisons Centre.
There is ongoing research and monitoring around the world looking at the effectiveness and safety of water fluoridation programmes. NFIS has been established to monitor and assess this work and to provide independent scientific information and technical advice on water fluoridation in New Zealand to DHBs, TLAs and the Ministry.
In this section
- This page explains what fluoride is and where it is found naturally. Read more
- Information on fluoride intake in the diet and from toothpaste, and how New Zealand intakes compare to those in other countries. Read more
- Information on research into the effects of fluoride on human health. Read more
- Water fluoridation is the process of adjusting the natural level of fluoride in the water supply to between 0.7 ppm and 1.0 ppm – a proven public health measure to reduce dental caries. Read more
- Questions and answers on water fluoridation, its benefits and safety, and the Ministry’s response to fluoridation opposition. Read more
- Resources on water fluoridation. Read more
- Links to national and international websites with information on water fluoridation. Read more
Page last reviewed: 30 August 2011
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