A European perspective on fluoride use in seven countries

Objectives: The aim of this study was to collate data on national policies for the use of fluoride in the seven European countries participating in the FLINT project. Methods: Policies on the use of fluoride were obtained for each of the study areas. Data collected included the presence of water fluoridation and regulations governing fluoride toothpaste and fluoride supplements. Results: In Ireland 74% of the population had a fluoridated water supply but in all the other countries fluoride toothpaste was the principal form of delivering fluoride, usually recommended as a dose of a pea-sized amount. Fluoride supplement use varied considerably between countries. The Netherlands had the clearest regulations covering the use of fluoride supplements and definition of at-risk individuals. Most countries, even if they recognized particular caries-risk did not define the term clearly. In Iceland all children were regarded as being at high risk of developing caries. Conclusion: Considerable variation exists between European countries in their policies for fluoride use and no clear definitions of high-caries-risk individuals were found. The results show that there is even a lack of coherent thought and planning within the different countries, let alone between them.