How important is it to you that public officials reassess the risk/benefits of water fluoridation based on current information?

Answer Explanations

• 5 - Very important

  user-269808
  To prevent early chldhood caries.
• 5 - Very important

  user-152268
  balance between the cost and the benefit of it
• 5 - Very important

  user-678105
  NaF has many biochemical effects.  Coating the teeth is different than consumption.  More research is needed on consumption of H2SiF6 and Na2SiF6.
• 5 - Very important

  user-831795
  Contaminated water affects human and animal health. This reduced the overall productivity. It increased the budget for health services and poor people are most affected.
• 5 - Very important

  user-140016
  I don't believe that fluoride is mechanistically related to reduced IQ and fluoridated water is very important for dental health.
• 5 - Very important

  user-615004
  Reassessing the risks and benefits of water fluoridation is critical, especially given the potential for fluoride toxicity in areas where natural levels of fluoride in water are already high, as seen in regions like India, Nigeria,  China and some areas of the United States

  
  

  Long-term exposure to elevated fluoride levels can cause several health problems, from bone and joint issues to more severe organ damage.

  In severe cases, fluoride poisoning may lead to multi-organ failure, affecting the heart and respiratory system, which can be fatal if left unaddressed. Chronic fluoride exposure has also been shown to stimulate excessive bone formation in certain types of bone, which can lead to skeletal fluorosis. This condition results in brittle bones, joint pain, and, in severe cases, immobility.

  
  

  Given these risks, public officials should periodically reassess water fluoridation policies to ensure that they are appropriate for current exposure levels. In regions where fluoride toxicity is prevalent, reducing fluoride levels in water or implementing alternative strategies for dental health could reduce the risk of long-term health complications.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  
• 3

  user-86421
  Depends on the location
• 5 - Very important

  user-495270
  Although there are substantial dental benefits in reducing tooth decay and disease, the environmental and health impacts have not been fully elucidated.
• 5 - Very important

  user-758933
   fluorinated  water is siutable for human used due to the polusion  of the sourses of water supply
• 5 - Very important

  user-449730
  Of course, public officials should re-evaluate the risks/benefits of water fluoridation based on current knowledge.
  It can be toxic to the development of brain tissue in children.  Additionally, it can be harmful to bone tissue and lead to the weakening of the skeleton by accumulating in bone tissue.
  
  
• 3

  user-803256
  Any public policy should be based on the strong scientific evidence.
• 5 - Very important

  user-641932
  If the body absorbs too much fluoride, it will lead to damage to teeth, bones, brain and nervous system, damage to the thyroid gland and other health problems.
• 5 - Very important

  user-943691
  It is quite important to assess as well as reassess all the risks of fluoride contamination of water bodies keeping in mind the severe associated health implications. 
• 5 - Very important

  user-66378
  It is really important that there must be regulatory guidelines about fluoride in water also government needs to assess the harmful effects in human being due to its exposure 
• 4

  user-774962
  As a rule, all regulatory decisions need to be re-evaluated when there is relevant new science that can be used to support or revise those decisions.
• 5 - Very important

  user-561710
  we should reassess all the time - basic science requires it.
• 4

  user-295973
  It is important. However, in order to determine the risk a solid set of relevant biological and genetic assays should be employed in a large cohort (adult as well as children). In particular to start with countries in which water is being fluoridatd.
  We should as well consider that people's exposure to fluoride varies a lot, depending on levels in water, what toothpaste they use, and other factors like use of mineral water and some kinds of tea.
• 4

  user-658333
  The emerging data on the potential adverse effects of prenatal (and perhaps postnatal) exposure to F on children's neurodevelopment is acquiring a sufficient weight to warrant a reassessment of the level of F exposure that produce the dental benefits but do not increase neurodevelopmental risk.
• 1 - Not very important

  user-74194
  Fluoride promotes stronger teeth but may have adverse effects. As with all substances, a hormetic effect is present and very high concentrations will likely be toxic and concentrations near zero will also likely have health effects. 
• 4

  user-109201
  At least the new development in the field should reach at the large level of society.
• 5 - Very important

  user-380980
  Sometimes you find some impurities in the shower water.
• 1 - Not very important

  user-613823
  The EPA considers 4 ppm of F as a contaminant in other water sources. But, drinking water contains Al species as Aluminum fluoride.
• 2

  user-919082
  Public officials should access appropriate resources to assist them in community decisions of whether to continue or immediately halt current water fluoridation, and particularly since fluoridations has well understood health positive benefits (dental caries prevention) versus what appears as demonstrably arguable possible development neurotoxicity concerns.  
• 2

  user-780719
  I believe the public health trade off of fluoridation (or not) is strongly in favor of continuing fluoridation
• 5 - Very important

  user-850429
  The answer is very important because of it is very important for public authorities to reassess the risks/benefits of water fluoridation based on current data. A recent court decision highlighting the potential neurodevelopmental risks associated with fluoride exposure, particularly the link to low IQ scores in children, highlights the need for public health intervention emphasize the quality of existing varieties
  Because water fluoridation has become a widely accepted practice for preventing tooth decay, this new evidence raises important questions about safety and effectiveness Public health decisions should be informed by the latest scientific research recognize to ensure that communities, especially vulnerable populations such as pregnant women and children. Reassessing these risks and benefits could lead to a more informed policy that prioritizes public health and balances the established dental health benefits of fluoride. It is therefore important for officials to consider the current findings in order to better protect community health.
• 5 - Very important

  user-652158
  I think water should be fluoridated or educated to give their children fluoride tablets daily until age 12 years old.  My four children, aged 40, 38, 36 and 30 all took daily fluoride tablets.   There is no evidence in the literature of it causing neurological problems.  My two oldest children are medical doctors.    My next two children are equally brilliant.  None suffer from any neurological problems.   Read the research please.   You are misinforming the public. 
• 5 - Very important

  user-200087

  Dental health benefits are established for the population

  
  
• 5 - Very important

  user-640387
  There are some areas where the lack of fluoridated water is indicated. 
• 4

  user-573537
  Past results cannot assure that those values prevail.
• 5 - Very important

  user-293029
  Evidence of benefits 
• 4

  user-762331
  Es normal que se reevalúen estas situaciones
• 5 - Very important

  user-868575
  There must be a clearer understanding of appropriate levels of fluoride in drinking water (and what municipalities have too high levels) and transparent communication of the risk-benefit equation to citizens.  
• 5 - Very important

  user-123942
  It is not in practice in India however it should be mandatory 
• 1 - Not very important

  user-683654
  I have never thought of it.
• 4

  user-914553
  Any chemical that gets added to drinking water should be explained via risks/benefits.  Some public is well educated and informed and people should know the risks and the benefits, and why these actions are taken.
• 5 - Very important

  user-876062
   It is indeed essential for public officials to reassess water fluoridation based on current data, as our understanding of fluoride's effects on health continues to evolve. With a better understanding of natural sources of fluoride in water and nutritional needs, a reassessment could help balance the dental health benefits with potential risks to overall health. 
• 5 - Very important

  user-204341
  Fluorine is a toxic substance at high concentrations, and even in small, permissible amounts, it has harmful effects in the long term.
  
  
  
• 1 - Not very important

  user-613901
  Its fine
• 1 - Not very important

  user-193689
  Fluoridation of water has been of major societal benefit - I have seen the result in hugely improved teeth health, and bacterial infection of teeth have knock on consequences including related to heart health.
• 4

  user-449711
  Looks like not only a risk benefit but a cost benefit assessment is needed.  
• 5 - Very important

  user-896172
  It is very important so as to know the level of fluoride that one is ingesting anytime he drinks water
• 5 - Very important

  user-623250
  It is important that people known the content to make informed decisions