Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42221423›Full record

ReviewFrontiers in oral health2026

Fluoridation in Chile: historical context, current programs, challenges, and future directions.

Rodrigo Mariño, Melisa Münzenmayer, Carlos Zaror

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Frontiers in oral health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Rodrigo MariñoMelbourne Dental School, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
Melisa MünzenmayerMelbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
Carlos ZarorCenter for Research in Epidemiology, Economics and Oral Public Health (CIEESPO), Faculty of Dentistry, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

As part of the Fluoride Across the World effort, this manuscript aims to examine the history, current programs, challenges, and future directions of fluoridation initiatives in Chile. This analysis describes the evolution of fluoridation practices, including early adoption, the various fluoride programs and delivery methods implemented, community engagement efforts, and the challenges of implementation. Key milestones in governmental policies and health organization efforts will also be discussed. The primary objective of this review was to assess the effectiveness, safety, and cost-effectiveness of oral health fluoride policies and programs implemented in Chile. The study highlights the historical significance of the adoption of water fluoridation in Chile, beginning in the 1950s, and its expansion, driven by government support, leading to its widespread implementation. Current fluoridation initiatives, including water, and milk, are described. The paper underscores the importance of fluoridation as a public health strategy for preventing dental caries and promoting oral health. It identifies ongoing challenges and suggests future directions, including the integration of new technologies to support community education and monitoring, thereby contributing to the discourse on fluoride's role in public health policy. Fluorides, particularly in the context of water and health, can be linked to several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Within this background, the review identifies ongoing challenges such as public misinformation and regulatory inconsistencies that obstruct the effective maintenance and implementation of fluoridation programs. Thus, this analysis would be relevant for policymakers and public health practitioners as it provides valuable insights and suggests future directions aimed at improving oral health outcomes through effective fluoridation strategies, ultimately enhancing community health and wellbeing.

Indexed as

Chilecommunity water fluoridationfluoride programsoral healthpublic health policy

Identifiers

PMID42221423
PMCPMC13219318

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.