The impact of changing dental needs on cost savings from fluoridation.

摘要: Background:  Although community water fluoridation has been one of the cornerstone strategies for prevention and control dental caries, questions are still raised regarding its cost-effectiveness. This study assessed impact changing needs on cost savings from in Australia. Methods:  Net costs were estimated as Costs(programme) minus Costs(averted caries). Averted product caries increment non-fluoridated community, effectiveness a carious surface. Modelling considered four age-cohorts: 6–20, 21–45, 46–65 66+ years three time points 1970s, 1980s, 1990s. Cost surface was by conventional complex methods. Real discount rates (4, 7 (base) 10%) utilized. Results:  With base-case assumptions, average annual savings/person, using Australian dollars at 2005 level, ranged $56.41 (1970s) to $17.75 (1990s) (conventional method) $249.45 $69.86 (complex method). Under worst-case assumptions remained cost-effective with ranging $24.15 $3.87 $107.85 $24.53 For cohort did not show saving, but costs/person marginal. Conclusions:  Community remains preventive measure Australia.