Cairns is one of several communities in regional Queensland where fluoride is not currently added to the public drinking water supply, meaning Cairns does not have fluoridated drinking water. Water fluoridation has been used in many parts of Australia for decades as a way to help reduce tooth decay, particularly in children.

This opinion has been submitted by a dental therapist who works with children and regularly sees the impact that tooth decay can have on young patients.

Growing up in Far North Queensland, some families used fluoride tablets for their children because the local water supply did not contain fluoride. Those tablets are no longer commonly available, yet many regional communities still do not have fluoridated water.

The author has worked for more than 30 years as a dental therapist in the School Dental Service in Queensland, New South Wales and the Northern Territory, in both fluoridated and non-fluoridated areas.

Professional perspective

As a dental professional, I have seen first-hand the difference preventive measures can make to children’s dental health. In my experience, the positive effects of water fluoridation on children’s teeth are clear. Fluoridation of the water supply remains one of the most practical and effective ways to reduce tooth decay in the community.

The reality of tooth decay in children

Tooth decay remains one of the most common health problems affecting children. In some cases the damage can become severe enough that children require fillings, extractions, or treatment under general anaesthetic.

Dental professionals regularly see young patients suffering pain and infection from preventable dental disease. For this reason, prevention is considered one of the most important strategies for improving children’s dental health.

How fluoride helps protect teeth

Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel and helps teeth resist the acids produced by bacteria that cause cavities.

Research conducted in many countries has found that communities with fluoridated drinking water generally experience lower levels of tooth decay in children compared with communities without fluoridation.

Large reviews of scientific studies have reported reductions in dental decay of roughly 20–40% in children living in fluoridated areas.

Because drinking water reaches the entire population, fluoridation is often described by public health organisations as a simple and cost-effective preventative measure.

Evidence from Australia and Queensland

Research from Australia has also shown benefits associated with water fluoridation.

Studies comparing fluoridated and non-fluoridated communities have found higher rates of tooth decay in areas without fluoridated water, particularly among children.

More recent research involving Queensland schoolchildren has also reported improvements in dental health outcomes in areas where fluoridation has been introduced.

A particular benefit for children

Children are especially vulnerable to tooth decay, particularly where access to regular dental care may be limited.

Water fluoridation helps protect children even when:

• brushing habits are inconsistent
• access to dental care is limited
• fluoride toothpaste is not used regularly

Communities with fluoridated water often see:

• fewer fillings
• fewer dental infections
• less need for dental procedures under general anaesthetic in children

Because of these benefits, public-health organisations such as the Australian Dental Association and the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) strongly support community water fluoridation.

Water fluoridation can provide a background level of protection that works alongside:

• regular tooth brushing
• fluoride toothpaste
• healthy eating habits
• routine dental check-ups

For many dental professionals, fluoridated water is considered one of several tools that can help reduce preventable dental disease.

A continuing community debate

Water fluoridation has been debated in Queensland for many years. Since 2012, decisions about fluoridation have largely been left to local councils.

Some people believe fluoridation provides important public health benefits, particularly for children. Others believe the decision should be left to individual choice.

Supporters of fluoridation often argue that community water supplies already include treatments designed to protect public health, and that fluoridation is simply another preventative measure.

Closing

Protecting children’s dental health is a goal shared by parents, dentists, and communities alike.

For many dental professionals, fluoridation remains one of the most practical ways to help reduce tooth decay across the population.

Whether Cairns should adopt fluoridated drinking water is ultimately a question for the community to consider.

This opinion was submitted by a dental therapist and is shared to encourage respectful community discussion.