A European perspective on fluoride use in seven countries

Objectives: The aim of this study was to collate data on national policies 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 areas. Data collected included the presence of water fluoridation and regulations governing fluoride toothpaste and fluoride supplements. Results: In Ireland 74% the population had a fluoridated water supply but in all the other countries 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.