A 1994 study by the University of York Health Economics Consortium concluded that water fluoridation is the most cost-effective policy for reducing tooth decay.

Following a more detailed examination of the cost and benefits, the York Consortium published a further report in 1998.  Key findings were:

• Studies comparing the cost-effectiveness of water fluoridation with that of other strategies for reducing tooth decay always conclude that water fluoridation is the most cost-effective approach.

• One of the greatest strengths of water fluoridation is that it does not require any behavioural changes from its recipients.

• As the size of the population served by the fluoridation plant at a particular water treatment works increases, the cost per person of fluoridation decreases.  The larger the population served, therefore, the more cost-effective fluoridation becomes.