The Dental Service oversees the national preventive programme. At its core is a national policy of fluoridation of potable water supply and a programme of public education. The nation-wide fluoridation programme in Singapore began in 1958. As a direct consequence of this programme, the incidence of dental decay is significantly reduced.
Water fluoridation is a safe and cost-effective public health measure in preventing dental caries.
It is easy to administer to the entire community. Fluoride prevents caries by rendering the enamel of teeth more resistant to bacterial attack. Incipient caries can be remineralised in the presence of a constant low level of flouride ions. The fluoride concentration in our drinking water is 0.6ppm. The government monitors the level of fluoride concentration in our drinking water constantly.