Summary and Conclusions Five cohorts totaling 2,509 children of the same age (7 years, 2 through 4 months), all with essentially the same postnatal exposure to optimally fluoridated water but with different patterns of prenatal exposure, were compared for prevalence of dental caries in their deciduous cuspids and molars and first permanent molars. The data indicate that there were no meaningful additional benefits from the maternal ingestion of fluoridated water if the offspring also ingeste

Summary and Conclusions

Five cohorts totaling 2,509 children of the same age (7 years, 2 through 4 months), all with essentially the same postnatal exposure to optimally fluoridated water but with different patterns of prenatal exposure, were compared for prevalence of dental caries in their deciduous cuspids and molars and first permanent molars.

The data indicate that there were no meaningful additional benefits from the maternal ingestion of fluoridated water if the offspring also ingested the water from birth. The results cast serious doubts on the benefits to be derived from dietary supplements of fluoride to pregnant women.