The objective of this section is to help users to identify the tools to assess risks to public health with regard to fluoride and to manage those risks appropriately. Fluoride intake has both beneficial effects, in reducing the incidence of dental caries, and negative effects, in causing enamel and skeletal fluorosis following prolonged high exposure. The ranges of intakes producing these opposing effects are not far apart.
In order to set up or improve the public health management of fluoride further information is provided, including tools to assess the disease burden of fluoride exposure and the action to be taken.