Not a ‘golden bullet,’ but UK’s dental association considers adding fluoride in more areas in England

As the United States plunges into a debate over whether having fluoride in water is bad for public health, the British Dental Association (BDA) is considering adding fluoride to drinking water in more areas in northern England, the BBC reported recently.

Plans to add fluoride to drinking water in more areas in northern England would be a “great leveller” for dental health, the British Dental Association (BDA) has said. However, the BBC reported that BDA board member Paul Woodhouse described the move as not a “golden bullet” but said it would provide a “better base start.” However, as in the U.S., there is opposition from the campaign group Fluoride Free Cumbria.

According to the British parliament, fluoridated water is supplied to 10% of the population in England. Of this group, 92% receive it through a fluoridation scheme, while the remaining 8% benefit from naturally occurring fluoride in water sources.

No fluoridation beyond England

It appears that there is no water fluoridation in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland since water fluoridation is a devolved matter in the UK, meaning it is the responsibility of each individual country’s government. While England has implemented fluoridation in some regions, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have chosen not to pursue this measure. Any fluoride present in water in these areas occurs naturally, rather than being added through a formal program​.

However, the chief medical officer for England, along with his counterparts in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, supported in 2021 the addition of fluoride to water supplies. This recommendation was based on estimates from Public Health England, which suggested that increasing fluoride levels could reduce cavities by 17% among wealthier children and 28% among those from poorer backgrounds.

Arkansas to remove fluoride

The debate over fluoride intensified in the U.S. after Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who described fluoride as “industrial waste” causing various health issues, including lowered IQ, was picked by Donald Trump to be health secretary.

Amidst this debate, Newsweek reported recently that Arkansas Republicans have filed bills that could lead to fluoride being removed from drinking water in the state.