Parental support for water fluoridation in Lithgow, New South Wales.

BACKGROUND

The objective of this paper was to report on the level of support for water fluoridation among parents of primary school children in Lithgow and on the socio-demographic and oral health factors that may have influenced this support.

METHODS

As part of a survey in Lithgow of the oral health status of school children, their parents were asked to complete an oral health-related questionnaire. Questions on support for fluoridation and socio-demographics were included. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis were used to examine associations between variables.

RESULTS

Seventy per cent of the responding parents supported water fluoridation. However, this support was significantly higher among those from a higher socio-economic background. Nearly half the parents thought that health authorities or the government should take on the responsibility for matters related to water fluoridation. No statistically significant differences in caries experience were observed amongst children whether or not their parents supported fluoridation, except for 5-6 year olds (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Lithgow parents strongly supported the introduction of water fluoridation but suggested that governments and health authorities should adopt a more proactive role in relation to fluoridation implementation.