Scotland’s Dental Decay Spurs Call for Water Fluoridation

UK: An article published by The Scotsman highlights a growing call for water fluoridation in Scotland to address what has been described as one of the worst dental decay rates in Europe. The piece brings attention to the advocacy of Professor David Conway, a leading figure in dental public health from the University of Glasgow, who has urged Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar to prioritize the issue if elected First Minister in 2026.

Prof Conway, who once taught Mr. Sarwar during his dental studies at the University of Glasgow, is advocating for a renewed public consultation on water fluoridation—a step not meaningfully undertaken in Scotland since the early 2000s.

“To take this forward in Scotland, I think we need public consultation – but a more in-depth conversation with public and community engagement on the issues – and trying to ensure it is not hijacked by the vocal minority against,” Prof Conway stated.

Evidence Supporting Fluoridation

The proposal for water fluoridation is backed by a wealth of scientific and health authority support. As highlighted in the article, the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States has named the fluoridation of drinking water as one of the ten greatest public health interventions of the 20th century. In England, over six million people benefit from fluoridated water, particularly in areas like the West Midlands and the north-east, where these schemes have been in place for more than 50 years.

Scotland, however, lags behind. Robert Donald, chair of the British Dental Association’s (BDA) Scottish council, expressed concern over Scotland’s lack of progress: “The US looks set to blindly row back on the huge gains made with water fluoridation. Scotland needs to double down on prevention.”

Despite the endorsement of organizations such as the British Dental Association, the Scottish Health Boards’ Consultants in Dental Public Health, and Scotland’s Chief Medical Officer, the Scottish Government has consistently cited the logistical and financial challenges of implementing fluoridation as barriers to action.

Practical Challenges and Alternatives

Currently, Scotland’s health boards have the authority to request fluoridation from Scottish Water, provided public support can be demonstrated. However, as Prof Conway noted, there remains a need for “full assessment of the logistics and feasibility, including financial costs and benefits” to inform public and governmental discussions.

The Scottish Government has emphasized alternative strategies, such as community health programs like the Childsmile initiative, as more practical and achievable solutions. The Childsmile scheme, introduced under a Labour administration, focuses on preventive dental care for children and has been lauded for its contributions to improving oral health among young Scots.

Scottish Labour has signaled its intention to build on this foundation. Paul Sweeney, the party’s dental spokesperson, stated: “We will build on this legacy by promoting dental health to children and young people. Scottish Labour has a democratic process within the party to develop policy, and any proposal would need to be considered through that process.”

Looking Ahead

Prof Conway expressed hope for future opportunities to revisit the fluoridation debate, particularly if Anas Sarwar, his former student, were to ascend to the role of First Minister. “Maybe there will be some opportunities ahead if after the next Scottish Parliament elections with a former dental student of mine here at University of Glasgow Dental School in the running for First Minister,” he remarked.

As Scotland grapples with its poor dental health record, the call for a deeper public and governmental engagement on water fluoridation may represent a pivotal moment in the country’s approach to oral health care. Whether these discussions will translate into policy change remains to be seen, but the debate is far from over.

For the full article, visit The Scotsman: source link