Impact of early exposure to fluoride on the executive functioning of Australian children

Abstract

Recent research has arisen which indicates that early exposure to fluoride could have cognitive impacts on the developing brain of children. Currently, there is no concrete high quality evidence within the current literature that establishes no association between fluoride exposure and cognitive development, leading to an increase in distrust regarding the use of fluoride in drinking water. The current study aimed to explore the relationships between early childhood exposure to water fluoridation and measures of executive functioning by applying a population- based cohort study design in a representative sample of children within Australia, taking into account confounders that have been overlooked within previous research. Participants were recruited from a previous national oral health study and invited to complete a questionnaire that included the Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Function. A series of regression analyses found no significant association between fluoride exposure and executive functioning in children. Further logistic regression testing found that fluoride exposure was not a significant predictor of elevated levels of executive dysfunction. The population-based evidence of the current study can inform and educate the general public and policy leaders on the understanding and safety of fluoride use in children and their psychological development.