QUICK SUMMARY
A University of Queensland study reveals tooth decay among primary school-aged children in Queensland fell by over 10% in the past decade, particularly in areas with fluoridated water. Despite this progress, not all children benefited equally, prompting calls for targeted public health strategies.
A recent study by the University of Queensland revealed that tooth decay rates among primary school-aged children in Queensland have declined by over 10% in the past decade, particularly in areas with fluoridated water. The Cairns Regional Council recently voted against reintroducing fluoride into the local water supply, despite opposition from some councillors. Queensland's chief dental officer, Ben Stute, stated that while the results are encouraging, they highlight the need for targeted public health initiatives to ensure all children benefit from improved oral health. Data from 7,718 students aged 5-14 years showed a significant drop in tooth decay from 49.5% to 38.8% among younger children. The study also found that the average number of decayed tooth surfaces decreased from 4.1 to 2.9. Improvements were mainly noted in newly-fluoridated areas, with little change in non-fluoridated regions. Professor Loc Do noted concerning trends, such as 40% of children consuming at least one sugary drink daily, and a decrease in the proportion of children brushing twice a day from 72% to 63%. The findings emphasize the importance of water fluoridation and the need for ongoing public health strategies.