Fluoride balance in infants and young children in the UK and its clinical relevance for the dental team

This paper provides an overview of the main sources of fluoride (F) in children and discusses the importance of assessing F exposure at an individual and community level. It describes some of the methods used to assess F exposure by estimating F intake and excretion, together with the development and use of biomarkers for F and their importance. The paper focuses on what recent F research has shown in terms of significant sources of dietary F intake in UK infants and young children and the proportion of F intake that derives from F ingestion of toothpaste. This information is considered in the context of clinical dental practice and the implications of this research for oral health discussed.