Caries prevalence and water fluoridation in Israel: a cross-sectional study.

This article examines the impact of Community Water Fluoridation (CWF) on dental caries prevalence and dental fluorosis among 12-year-old children in Israel, based on a national cross-sectional survey conducted in 2011–2012. The study found that children living in fluoridated cities had significantly lower caries experience, measured by the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index, and a higher percentage of caries-free children compared to those in nonfluoridated cities. Additionally, CWF was associated with reduced oral health disparities across socioeconomic groups, while dental fluorosis was observed in 10.3% of children, mostly mild and not strongly linked to fluoridation levels. The findings support CWF as an effective, equitable, and low-cost public health measure for caries prevention, with implications for policymakers considering the cessation of fluoridation in Israel since 2014.