Fluoride in the prevention of dental caries: a tentative cost-benefit analysis
Davies G N
Record Status
This is a critical abstract of an economic evaluation that meets the criteria for inclusion on NHS EED. Each abstract contains a brief summary of the methods, the results and conclusions followed by a detailed critical assessment on the reliability of the study and the conclusions drawn.
Health technology
Water fluoridation.
Type of intervention
Primary prevention.
Economic study type
Cost-effectiveness analysis.
Study population
School children.
Setting
The study was carried out in the USA and United Kingdom.
Dates to which data relate
Price related to 1970.
Source of effectiveness data
Single study.
Modelling
Epidemiological cohort model (model of survival and disease).
Direct costs
Direct costs are to the health service and are the fluoridation process, and dental caries. Price information related to 1970.
Currency
UK pounds Sterling ().
Sensitivity analysis
No sensitivity analysis was carried out.
Synthesis of costs and benefits
Outcome and cost duration was 8 years. Fluorosis has been discussed and estimated to be a negligible concern.
CRD Commentary
(This commentary was not written by CRD, but by the authors of the DH Register.)
The paper has not addressed the likelihood of accidental over fluoridation with its costs and consequences.
Bibliographic details
Davies G N. Fluoride in the prevention of dental caries: a tentative cost-benefit analysis. British Dental Journal 1973; 135(4): 173-174