London’s water supply may be fluoridated in a bid to reduce tooth decay among residents, following a recommendation from the London Assembly’s health committee. The cross-party investigation urged Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan to review the potential benefits of introducing fluoride to the capital’s water system as part of efforts to improve oral health.
The committee emphasized that water fluoridation could be a crucial tool in reducing dental issues across the city. It was noted that fluoride has been shown to reduce tooth decay across all demographics, irrespective of age, and doesn’t require individual behavior changes to be effective. NHS consultant Charlotte Klass testified to the committee, highlighting fluoridation’s proven success in combating tooth decay.
While London’s water is not routinely fluoridated, recent changes to policy allow the Health Secretary to introduce fluoridation schemes across the UK, though public consultation is necessary before doing so. A 2024 government consultation focused on fluoridating areas in the north east of England, but no such plans have been made for London.
The committee recommended that Mayor Khan conduct a feasibility review on the matter by 2025 and present the findings to the government. This comes in light of troubling statistics, including 25.8% of five-year-olds in London suffering from tooth decay in 2021-22, surpassing the English average of 23.7%. Additionally, over 5,000 children in London required tooth extractions in 2022 due to severe dental problems.
The investigation also found that only 39% of London’s adults were able to access NHS dental care in the year leading up to March 2024, highlighting ongoing barriers to dental services in the capital.
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