Historical aspects and prospects of fluoridation of public water supply in the state of São Paulo

Abstract

 Taking into account the addition of fluorite into the water designed for public consumption as a preventive measure for tooth decay, presently consolidated, this study performs a historic review of the process started during the decade of 1950, as became compulsory only 20 years later. With the first direct elections for Governor, in 1982 with the victory of Andre Franco Montoro in São Paulo, finally the favorable conditions for the enforcement of the state law for fluoride addition were created, even though the law existed since 1958. During the year of 1985, fluoride addition was a priority in the dental health area, and significative investments were made in order to expand this measure for the whole state. During the first decade of the 21st Century, the state program for fluoride addition underwent a notable expansion and, nowadays, São Paulo is the national leader, with more than 95% of the urban population receiving the benefits of this measure, leaving the State in an excellent condition even when compared to developed countries.