Queensland's disparate access to fluoridation exacerbates health inequality.

Recent biostatistical research has confirmed why current disparities in access to public fluoridated water affect the most vulnerable.

We interviewed the lead author, Christopher Sexton, to find out more about his recent study published in the MJA and why biostatistics is essential for better patient outcomes.

WHAT WAS THE PROCESS AND INSPIRATION BEHIND THIS WORK?

The inspiration behind this work would be that Queensland has the lowest rate of access to fluoridated water than other Australian states and territories and that the unique political conditions within Queensland have led to disparate access to fluoridated water in regions across the state. Recognising the impact of socio-economic status on oral health outcomes, our team sought to explore how this disparity in access to fluoridated water might exacerbate existing health inequalities. Our investigation was driven by a desire to understand whether areas with lower socio-economic status, which often face greater oral health challenges, were receiving equitable access to this proven preventive measure.

ANY UNIQUE DE TAILS OR CHALLENGES ABOUT THE RESEARCH PROCESS?

Area level environmental analyses are not overly common and this was evident in the peer-review process. As to other issues, they were minimal due to publicly available data from Australian Bureau of Statistics and Queensland Health Water Division being helpful with understanding the data that was applied for.

WHAT DO YOU THINK MAKES IT SO SIGNIFICANT?

Could be from an applied and/or theoretical perspective. The research findings are the most significant aspect of this research. The results show that lower socio-economic areas have lower access to fluoridated water than higher socio-economic areas. This means that the residents of Queensland that are likely to have the higher burden of dental disease are more likely to not have access to a proven public health measure that can reduce this disease. We argue that this is a result of State Government policies over a long period of time that have resulted in this inequity.

Further, the disparate access to fluoridated water has effects on the public health system in Queensland as there is a higher than necessary level of disease that their services needs to treat. We argue that the Queensland State Government should provide access to fluoridated water for all residents.