Africa Water, Sanitation & Hygiene September 2018 Vol.13 No.4 | Page 31

Water & Health
prevention of tooth
decay.
Although other fluoride-
containing products,
such as toothpaste,
mouth rinses, and dietary
supplements are available
and contribute to the
prevention and control of
tooth decay, community
water fluoridation has been identified as the most cost-
effective method of delivering fluoride to all, reducing
tooth decay by 25% in children and adults.
Benefits: Strong Teeth
Fluoride benefits children and adults throughout
their lives. For children younger than age 8, fluoride
helps strengthen the adult (permanent) teeth that are
developing under the gums. For adults, drinking water
with fluoride supports tooth enamel, keeping teeth strong
and healthy. The health benefits of fluoride include
having:
water is one of the most effective instruments in
promoting health and reducing poverty.
As the international authority on public health and water
quality, WHO leads global efforts to prevent transmission
of waterborne disease. This is achieved by promoting
health-based regulations to governments and working
with partners to promote effective risk management
practices to water suppliers, communities and households.
Water safety and quality facts
91%
The proportion of the global population using an
improved drinking-water source
2.6 billion
The number of people who have gained access to
improved drinking-water sources since 1990
Water safety planning
• Fewer cavities.
• Less severe cavities.
• Less need for fillings and removing teeth.
• Less pain and suffering because of tooth decay.
Bottled Water
Consumers drink bottled water for various reasons,
including as a taste preference or as a convenient means
of hydration. Bottled water may not have a sufficient
amount of fluoride, which is important for preventing
tooth decay and promoting oral health.
Some bottled waters contain fluoride, and some do not.
Fluoride can occur naturally in source waters used for
bottling or it can be added.
WHO/RM McKeown
The WHO Guidelines for drinking-water quality
recommend water safety plans (WSPs) as the most
effective means of consistently ensuring the safety and
acceptability of a drinking-water supply.
WSPs require a risk assessment including all steps in
water supply from catchment to consumer, followed by
implementation and monitoring of risk management
control measures, with a focus on high priority risks.
Where risks cannot be immediately addressed, the WSP
approach allows for incremental improvements to be
implemented systematically over time. WSPs should be
implemented within a public health context, responding
to clear health-based targets and quality-checked through
independent surveillance.
World Bank/Allison Kwesell © via Flickr under Creative Commons
license
Water safety and quality
Water safety and quality are fundamental to human
development and well-being. Providing access to safe
WSPs are adaptable to all types and sizes of water supply,
and can be effectively applied in all socioeconomic
settings. The water safety planning approach is
increasingly being adopted globally as best practice for
the provision of safe drinking-water.
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