Alexandria, VA, USA – Two scientific sessions examining the latest global evidence on fluoride use and community water fluoridation (CWF), including new findings on effectiveness and risk-benefit considerations, were presented at the 103rd General Session of the IADR, which was held in conjunction with the IADR/Pan European Regional Congress on June 25-28, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain.
The first session, “Risk and Benefits Balance of Fluoride–Contemporary Evidence and Future Direction,” examined the broader role of fluoride as a public health tool. Speakers reviewed the global body of research evaluating both the benefits and potential risks of fluoride use, with a focus on balancing these elements to guide responsible and effective policy. The session also explored how current evidence might inform future international directions for fluoride-based prevention programs.
The following day, “Contemporary Evidence of Water Fluoridation–Population-based Research and Policy,” provided a comprehensive overview of modern research efforts aimed at updating the scientific foundation of CWF programs. Presenters highlighted results from the Queensland Child Oral Health Study (QCOHS), a 14-year population-based before-and-after study conducted in Australia that offers one of the most robust assessments to date of the causal relationship between expanded CWF and improvements in child oral health.
The “Risk and Benefits Balance of Fluoride–Contemporary Evidence and Future Direction” satellite symposium took place on Tuesday, June 24 at 8 a.m. CEST. The symposium, “Contemporary Evidence of Water Fluoridation–Population-based Research and Policy” took place on Wednesday, June 25 at 1:30 p.m. CEST. Both were organized by Andrew Rugg-Gunn, Newcastle University, UK and Loc Do, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
About IADR
The International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (IADR) is a nonprofit organization with a mission to drive dental, oral, and craniofacial research for health and well-being worldwide. IADR represents the individual scientists, clinician-scientists, dental professionals, and students based in academic, government, non-profit, and private-sector institutions who share our mission. Learn more www.iadr.org.
