Attitudes to water fluoridation in general dental practice in the North East of England

Objective To find out the knowledge of, and attitudes towards, water fluoridation of a sample of general dental practitioners working in the North East of England. Design Anonymous, self-completed postal questionnaire. Setting North East of England, both a fluoridated and non-fluoridated area. Subjects and methods Following a small pilot survey, questionnaire to 79 general dental practitioners (44 in a non-fluoridated area, 35 in an area supplied with fluoridated water at one part per million) contracted to provide National Health Service (NHS) treatment in the North East of England. Results Fifty-five general dental practitioners returned questionnaires (a 70% response rate). Most respondents supported the principle of water fluoridation. Over half of the respondents indicated that they would benefit from more information and training on the issue of water fluoridation. There were marked differences in knowledge and attitudes to fluoridation between dental principals and associates. The sample was evenly split about what to do with a parent who was unsure about (whether to support) fluoridation even after the dentist had discussed the issue and answered questions. Conclusions The majority of general dental practitioners support water fluoridation although some lack knowledge and expertise which might inhibit advocacy of it.