Fluoridation 1. Effects on children's caries rates and professionally defined requirements for dental care.

— In 1977, after six years of fluoridation in South Australia, 337 six year-olds with continuous fluoride-drinking-water histories had DMFT values 53–2 per cent lower and df values 48–5 per cent lower than base-line values. For five to six year-olds presenting for follow-up care in the School Dental Service in 1977, continuous intake of fluoridated water evidently had reduced: (1) the number of teeth needing restorations by 40–0 per cent; (2) the total care items required by 32–6 per cent: (3) the total time required for care by 37–5 per cent; and (4) the fee-for-service value of care required by 34 -3 per cent.