The British Fluoridation Society (BFS) is an organization that promotes the fluoridation of drinking water in order to improve dental health. Established in 1969, the BFS aims to address public health problems related to tooth decay by adjusting the fluoride content of water to the optimum level. The BFS claims that water fluoridation can lead to a significant reduction in hospital admissions for children's dental extractions, particularly in deprived areas.
The BFS outlines several benefits of water fluoridation, which include a 59% reduction in hospital admissions for children's dental extractions in fluoridated areas and a 68% decrease in dental extraction hospital admissions among children in the most deprived areas. Furthermore, in areas with optimum fluoride in the water, 5-year-olds were found to have 52% lower odds of experiencing decay.
Six million people in the UK are currently served by water fluoridation schemes as per the BFS. In their mission, they propose an improvement in dental health by maintaining the fluoride content of water supplies at one part per million, especially in regions where tooth decay remains a considerable public health issue. They achieve this by promoting and coordinating medical, dental, educational, and administrative efforts.
Besides advocating for the fluoridation of water, the BFS also plays an informative role by distributing information about dental health to the public. They provide resources that offer an understanding of the safety and dental benefits of fluoridating drinking water.
It's suggested that the Society's efforts have resulted in more than 400 million people benefitting worldwide from water fluoridation. This is a significant increase from their estimation of worldwide coverage in 2012.
In conclusion, the British Fluoridation Society focuses on improving public dental health through advocating for the fluoridation of water supplies, particularly in areas at high risk of tooth decay. Its efforts are anchored in coordinating multiple spheres of influence, including medical, dental, educational, and administrative, to ensure the successful implementation and benefits of water fluoridation. The society also prioritizes the dissemination of dental health information to the larger public, recognizing the need for widespread awareness and education in their cause.
