The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has launched a new consultation on water fluoridation expansion in north east England - the government is seeking views on expanding community water fluoridation schemes with new arrangements or by varying existing arrangements.

The Health and Care Act 2022 provides powers for the Secretary of State to introduce, vary and terminate community water fluoridation schemes.

The DHSC plan to recover and reform NHS dentistry sets out a focus on prevention of tooth decay. This includes the long-term ambition to systematically bring water fluoridation to more of the country, with a particular focus on the most deprived areas, which stand to benefit most.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a maximum level of 1.5 milligrams of fluoride per litre of water (mg/L). There is strong scientific evidence that water fluoridation schemes can help reduce tooth decay and is a safe and effective intervention.

The Department is now consulting on a proposal to request the relevant water company, Northumbrian Water Limited (NWL), to enter into new fluoridation arrangements, and to vary existing agreements, in order to expand community water fluoridation schemes across the north east of England.

Around 1 in 10 people in England currently have fluoride added to their drinking water supplies.

Following the consultation, subject to a decision by the Secretary of State, the government would enter into agreements with NWL to increase the level of fluoride to the water supply in specified areas. The Secretary of State is also responsible for reimbursing water companies for costs associated with water fluoridation schemes with no impact on customer bills.

The government can require water companies to increase the naturally occurring concentration of fluoride in water supplies to 1.0 mg/L - well within WHO’s recommended maximum level. Similar schemes operate around the world covering an estimated 400 million people, including in the USA, Canada and Ireland.

Around 6 million people in England already have extra fluoride added to their water supply, while some supplies provide a similar level of fluoride naturally.

The DHSC has asked NWL to investigate whether it would be operable and efficient to supply fluoridated water throughout the rest of the north east of England, which could largely be achieved by introducing the necessary equipment at existing water treatment works.

According to the government, expanding community water fluoridation in the north east will generate a net social benefit of £315 million to:

reduce tooth decay in children and adults

reduce the disparities in dental health, particularly for children

reduce the need for dental services and costs to the NHS, such as children going to hospital for tooth extractions due to decay and managing the burden of pain and infection

Deadline to submit responses to the consultation is 17 June 2024 – click here to access the consultation online.