TY - JOUR
T1 - The Strong Teeth Study; Background, rationale and feasibility of fluoridating remote Indigenous communities
AU - Spencer, Andrew
AU - Bailie, Ross
AU - Jamieson, Lisa
PY - 2010/6
Y1 - 2010/6
N2 - The caries experience of Australian Indigenous children has deteriorated at the same time as that of non-Indigenous children has greatly improved. Fluoridating the water supplies of Indigenous communities emerged as a policy direction at the beginning of the 2000s. However, remote Indigenous communities are small, highly dispersed and isolated. This paper describes the Strong Teeth Study, a series of projects for the fluoridation of remote Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory. The background and rationale for two demonstration fluoridation projects are presented and the feasibility of operating small-scale fluoridation plant and measuring the impact on caries experience described. The demonstration fluoridation projects were commenced, but not sustained. The lessons learnt about environmental enablers and essential service requirements are highlighted. Fluoridation has the potential to improve oral health so as to contribute positively to child development as part of the broader mission of closing the gap in health between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
AB - The caries experience of Australian Indigenous children has deteriorated at the same time as that of non-Indigenous children has greatly improved. Fluoridating the water supplies of Indigenous communities emerged as a policy direction at the beginning of the 2000s. However, remote Indigenous communities are small, highly dispersed and isolated. This paper describes the Strong Teeth Study, a series of projects for the fluoridation of remote Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory. The background and rationale for two demonstration fluoridation projects are presented and the feasibility of operating small-scale fluoridation plant and measuring the impact on caries experience described. The demonstration fluoridation projects were commenced, but not sustained. The lessons learnt about environmental enablers and essential service requirements are highlighted. Fluoridation has the potential to improve oral health so as to contribute positively to child development as part of the broader mission of closing the gap in health between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
KW - Children
KW - Fluoridation
KW - Indigenous communities
KW - Remote
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=77954797619&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1922/IDJ-2572Spencer07
DO - 10.1922/IDJ-2572Spencer07
M3 - Article
VL - 60
SP - 250
EP - 256
JO - International Dental Journal
JF - International Dental Journal
SN - 0020-6539
IS - 3 SUPPL. 2
ER -