1. Prepared by Margo Eyeson-Annan New South Wales Health Survey Program, Centre for Epidemiology and Research New South Wales Department of Health March 2006 Results for the Fluoridation Questions from the NSW Population Survey

2. 1 Background  Since 1997 the NSW Centre for Epidemiology and Research has conducted the NSW Population Health Survey.  The survey is an ongoing telephone survey of state residents conducted to monitor changes over time in self-reported health behaviours, health status, health service use, satisfaction with health services, and other factors that influence health  Collect data from approximately 12,000 residents annually  In September 2005 questions on fluoridation were added to the NSW Population Health Survey

3. 2 Fluoridation Questions Question 1: Has fluoride been added to your public water supply? Question 2a: Do you agree with adding fluoride to your public water supply to try and prevent teeth decaying? Question 2b: Would you be in favour of adding fluoride to your water supply to try and prevent teeth decaying: In children, in adults or both? Question3: Where have you received information on water fluoridation? Question4: Who should decide on the fluoridation of water supplies?

4. 3 Respondents 2084 adults aged 16 years and over completed the health survey from September 2005 to December 2005. There were approximately 250 respondents from each area health service. This sample was then weighted to adjust for differences in the probabilities of selection among subjects, and for differences between the age and sex structure of the sample and Australian Bureau of Statistics mid-year population estimates for New South Wales. This enables calculation of prevalence estimates for the population rather than for the respondents selected.

5. Fluoride added to public water supply, persons aged 16 years and over, NSW 2005 NOTE: Estimates are based on 2,084 respondents in NSW. For this indicator 0 (0.0%) were refused in NSW. The question used was 'Has fluoride been added to your public water supply?’

6. Agree with having fluoride added to water supply persons who have fluoride added to their water supply aged 16 years and over, NSW 2005 NOTE: Estimates are based on 1,010 respondents in NSW. For this indicator 118 (10.46%) were ‘not stated’ (Don't know or Refused) in NSW. The questions used were 'Has fluoride been added to your public water supply' and if the respondent answered Yes, then was asked 'Do you agree with adding fluoride to your public water supply to try and prevent teeth decaying?'.

7. Agree with adding fluoride to water supply to prevent teeth decaying, persons without fluoride added to their water supply aged 16 years and over, NSW 2005 NOTE: Estimates are based on 763 respondents in NSW. For this indicator 193 (20.19%) were ‘not stated’ (Don't know or Refused) in NSW. The questions used were 'Has fluoride been added to your public water supply?' and if the respondent answered No, Don't know or Refused was then asked 'Would you be in favour of adding fluoride to your water supply to try and prevent teeth decaying: In children, in adults or both ?'.

8. Agree with adding fluoride to water supply by age and sex, persons aged 16 years and over, NSW 2005 NOTE: Estimates are based on 1,773 respondents in NSW. For this indicator 311 (14.92%) were ‘not stated’ (Don't know or Refused) in NSW The indicator includes those who either agree with or would agree to having fluoride added to their water supply.

9. Agree with adding fluoride to water supply by age and sex, persons aged 16 years and over, NSW 2005

10. NOTE: Estimates are based on 1,773 respondents in NSW. For this indicator 311 (14.92%) were ‘not stated’ (Don't know or Refused) in NSW The indicator includes those who either agree with or would agree to having fluoride added to their water supply. Agree with adding fluoride to water supply by age and sex, persons aged 16 years and over, NSW 2005

11. Places received information on water fluoridation, persons aged 16 years and over, NSW 2005 NOTE: Estimates are based on 1,875 respondents in NSW. For this indicator 167 (8.18%) were ‘not stated’ (Don't know or Refused) in NSW. The question used was 'Where have you received information on water fluoridation?'. Respondents could mention more than one response. Percentages will total more than 100%.

12. Responsible body for decisions on fluoridation, persons aged 16 years and over, NSW 2005 NOTE: Estimates are based on 1,804 respondents in NSW. For this indicator 238 (11.66%) were ‘not stated’ (Don't know or Refused) in NSW. The question used was 'Who should decide on the fluoridation of water supplies?'. Respondents could mention more than one response. Percentages will total more than 100%.

13. Comparison NSW and North Coast Results, persons aged 16 years and over, 2005 QuestionNSW n=2084 North Coast n=264 Fluoride Added  Yes  No  Don’t know 56.2% 10.6% 33.3% 31.9% 37.8% 30.4% Agree with adding fluoride87.8%71.3% Information sources  Media  Health Authorities  No information  Other 54.8% 14.9% 34.0% 11.2% 72.2% 16.4% 26.3% 11.6% Responsible body  State Government  Community  Other 70.5% 32.5% 24.0% 46.2% 52.4% 25.1%

14. 13 Oral Health  Information on oral health is also collected through the NSW Population Health Survey and through the routine data collections such as hospitals.  Provide two examples by health area: –All natural teeth missing –Hospital separations for dental conditions

15. All natural teeth missing by health area and sex, persons aged 16 years and over, NSW 2005 NOTE: Estimates are based on 11,424 respondents in NSW. For this indicator 0 (0%) were ‘not stated’ (Don't know or Refused) in NSW The indicator includes those respondents who had all of their natural teeth missing. The question used to define the indicator was 'Are any of your natural teeth missing? (Natural teeth does not include dentures but includes wisdom teeth)'.

16. Hospital separations for dental conditions by sex and health area, NSW 200-2003

17. 16 North Coast  264 respondents who answered the questions were from the North Coast AHS

18. Fluoride added to public water supply, persons in North Coast AHS aged 16 years and over, NSW 2005 NOTE: Estimates are based on 264 respondents in in North Coast AHS. For this indicator 0 (0.0%) were refused in in North Coast AHS. The question used was 'Has fluoride been added to your public water supply?’

19. Places received information on water fluoridation, persons in North Coast AHS aged 16 years and over, NSW 2005 NOTE: Estimates are based on 242 respondents in North Coast AHS. For this indicator 17 (6.56%) were ‘not stated’ (Don't know or Refused) in North Coast AHS. The question used was 'Where have you received information on water fluoridation?'. Respondents could mention more than one response. Percentages will total more than 100%.

20. Responsible body for decisions on fluoridation, persons in North Coast AHS aged 16 years and over, NSW 2005 NOTE: Estimates are based on 231 respondents in North Coast AHS. For this indicator 28 (10.81%) were ‘not stated’ (Don't know or Refused) in North Coast AHS. The question used was 'Who should decide on the fluoridation of water supplies?'. Respondents could mention more than one response. Percentages will total more than 100%.