A new report has concluded there is no definitive evidence that community water fluoridation has negative health effects.
The Health Research Board has carried out an in-depth review of existing research in relation to the health effects, excluding dental care, of community water fluoridation.
Community Water Fluoridation is a public health practice first introduced in Ireland in 1964 to improve dental health by reducing tooth decay.
The Department of Health asked the Health Research Board to determine the impact, positive or negative, on the systematic health of the population for those exposed to artificially fluoridated water.
Chief Executive of the HRB Dr Graham Love said it has found no definitive evidence that community water fluoridation is associated with positive or negative systemic health effects.
Given the lack of peer-reviewed research, the HRB did say further research would be required "to provide definitive proof" any link.
Dr Marie Sutton, lead author of the report, added "given the lack of studies of appropriate design, further research would be required to establish any link between fluoride and negative health effects".
