ACCESS TO THE OPTIMAL USE OF FLUORIDES FOR ORAL HEALTH AS A FUNDAMENTAL HEALTH MEASURE
The PHANZ endorses the WFPHA Positional Statement: Access to the optimal use of fluorides for oral health as a fundamental public health measure.
The World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA) strongly supports access to the optimal use of fluorides for oral health as a fundamental public health measure. The WFPHA acknowledge the importance of evidence-based fluoride recommendations that balance the prevention of dental caries with safety considerations.
As a national public health association, the PHANZ endorses the WFPHA Access to Fluoride Positional Statement and seeks opportunities to support access to the optimal use of fluorides for oral health as a fundamental public health measure.
This position is based on two key points:
Global oral health burden: Dental caries remains the most common disease in the world, and oral diseases disproportionately affect socially marginalized and vulnerable populations. At the same time, many countries and communities struggle with the shortage of oral health workforce.
Scientific Evidence: Decades of research support the safety and effectiveness of fluoride at recommended levels. The World Health Organization (WHO) has also published guidelines to help communities control fluoride exposures to establish the important balance between caries prevention and protection against adverse effects, and water fluoridation is listed as one of the fluoride delivery methods by WHO’s recent Global Oral Health Action Plan (2024).
The PHANZ endorsement of this statement aligns with existing PHANZ policy on Community Water Fluoridation.
For further information on water fluoridisation in Aotearoa New Zealand, the Ministry of Health website has a Community water fluoridation policy, which includes information on how it is a safe, effective, and affordable way to prevent and reduce tooth decay for everyone.