Fluoridation of public water supply: bioethical, legal and political approach

Authors

  • Cléa Adas Saliba Garbin Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho (Unesp) - Faculdade de Odontologia de Araçatuba
  • Luis Felipe Pupim dos Santos Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho (Unesp) - Faculdade de Odontologia de Araçatuba
  • Artênio José Isper Garbin Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho (Unesp) - Faculdade de Odontologia de Araçatuba
  • Suzely Adas Saliba Moimaz Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho (Unesp) - Faculdade de Odontologia de Araçatuba
  • Orlando Saliba Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho (Unesp) - Faculdade de Odontologia de Araçatuba

Abstract

This article aims to analyze the bioethical aspects and legal and political issues of water fluoridation, creating a discussion based on established studies and new research, in order to contribute to an ethical and impartial perspective on the subject. A bibliographic review study was performed, based on a survey of specialized literature on “fluoridation”, “bioethics” and “fluoride poisoning”. Water fluoridation is an important public health measure for the prevention of dental caries, and its efficacy has been demonstrated in several studies.
As it is mandatory under Brazilian law, bioethical dilemmas arise due to the absence of individual choice on whether to consume or not consume fluoridated water. There appears to be no solution to this moral dilemma, as even if the measure were free from any risk, its compulsory application would still violate the principle of autonomy.

Keywords:

Fluoridation. Bioethics. Fluoride poisoning.
Vol. 25 No. 2 (2017): Rev. bioét. (Impr.). 2017; 25 (2)

Published:

2017-08-01

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How to Cite

1.
Adas Saliba Garbin C, Santos LFP dos, José Isper Garbin A, Adas Saliba Moimaz S, Saliba O. Fluoridation of public water supply: bioethical, legal and political approach. Rev. bioét.(Impr.). [Internet]. 2017 Aug. 1 [cited 2024 Nov. 22];25(2). Available from: http://revistabioetica.cfm.org.br/revista_bioetica/article/view/1287