The initiative is designed to tackle tooth decay, particularly in deprived areas where dental health inequalities are most pronounced.
Fluoride has been shown to reduce tooth decay, and fluoridation schemes have been in place in parts of England since the 1960s. Currently, around 10 per cent of England’s population receives fluoridated water, mainly in the West Midlands and the northeast.
Following a public consultation, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) confirmed the expansion would cover areas including Darlington, Durham, Newcastle, Sunderland, and Middlesbrough. The move is backed by decades of evidence showing that fluoridation is a safe and effective public health measure. However, a recent review suggested that the benefits of water fluoridation have declined since fluoride toothpaste became widely available, though it remains an important tool in preventing tooth decay.
The announcement comes as the government rolls out a supervised toothbrushing scheme in the most deprived parts of England, reinforcing a wider commitment to improving children's oral health.
Nigel Carter, CEO of the Oral Health Foundation, said, "We wholeheartedly welcome the government’s decision to expand water fluoridation in the northeast - this is a landmark moment for public health. Fluoridation is one of the most effective, evidence-based measures we have to reduce tooth decay, particularly in children and communities most at risk. This expansion will mean fewer children suffering from unnecessary pain, fewer hospital admissions for dental extractions, and a significant reduction in the inequalities that persist in oral health.
"Water fluoridation has been proven safe and effective for decades, benefiting millions worldwide. It works alongside other vital measures, including supervised toothbrushing and access to NHS dentistry, to build a healthier future for all. This investment in prevention will pay dividends for generations to come.”
He concluded, "We now urge the government to go further and identify other areas of the UK that would benefit from water fluoridation. By expanding this programme beyond the northeast, we can make a meaningful and lasting impact on oral health across the country, ensuring that no community is left behind in the fight against tooth decay."
The British Dental Association (BDA) has also welcomed the rollout of fluoridation in the northeast. However, the association has stressed that these policies while effective have been needed for decades, and the delays they have faced reflect the lack of priority placed on oral health among successive governments.
The professional body has said the government must go further and faster on both restoring access to care and on prevention, particularly through mandatory action on the food industry on marketing, labelling and reformulation of sugary food and drink.
Eddie Crouch, BDA chair, said, "Water fluoridation has been around since the Second World War. Supervised brushing since Victorian times. Tried and tested policies, but it shows we need real pace here.
"Building an NHS dental service fit for the future won't wait till the 22nd Century."