Author: Ko L, Thiessen KM.
Source: International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health
Year: 2015
Comment:
Abstract / Excerpt:
BACKGROUND:
Although community water fluoridation (CWF) results in a range of potential contaminant exposures, little attention has been given to many of the possible impacts. A central argument for CWF is its cost-effectiveness. The U.S. Government states that $1 spent on CWF saves $38 in dental treatment costs.
OBJECTIVE:
To examine the reported cost-effectiveness of CWF.
METHODS:
Methods and underlying data from the primary U.S. economic evaluation of CWF are analyzed and corrected calculations are described. Other recent economic evaluations are also examined.
RESULTS:
Recent economic evaluations of CWF contain defective estimations of both costs and benefits. Incorrect handling of dental treatment costs and flawed estimates of effectiveness lead to overestimated benefits. The real-world costs to water treatment plants and communities are not reflected.
CONCLUSIONS:
Minimal correction reduced the savings to $3 per person per year (PPPY) for a best-case scenario, but this savings is eliminated by the estimated cost of treating dental fluorosis.
Citation: Ko L, Thiessen KM. A critique of recent economic evaluations of community water fluoridation. International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health. 2015;21(2):91-120.