Conduct surveys to evaluate the prevalence of dental caries over time and accurately
assess exposure to fluoride.
Undertake studies to elucidate further the role of fluoride in preventing coronal and
root decay in adults. Undertake studies to identify effective means of providing fluoride
to individuals at high risk of dental caries.
Continue longitudinal studies of caries scores in cities after defluoridation or the
discontinuation of fluoridation to supplement past information which covers only 2-5 years
of follow-up period.
Document the marginal risks, costs, and benefits of providing multiple fluoride regimens
in the prevention of dental caries.
Determine the relationship among socioeconomic status, water fluoridation status, and
the use of fluoride products.
In scoring dental caries, researchers should count individual surfaces rather than just
the number of teeth because such scoring provides more information and greater
sensitivity.
Researchers should express reductions in caries scores as the number of tooth surfaces
saved from caries, in addition to the percentage.
Continue studies to elucidate the mechanisms of fluoride action on bone and teeth at the
molecular and physical chemical levels.
Develop a method of quantitatively identifying dental fluorosis that is sensitive,
specific, reliable and acceptable to the public.
Continue to study dental fluorosis to determine the ecology and trends in the prevalence
of dental fluorosis.
Conduct analytical epidemiological studies of osteosarcoma to determine the risk factors
associated with its development. Fluoride exposure and bone levels of fluoride should be
included in the study design.
Evaluate the scientific merit of conducting further animal carcinogenicity studies which
use a wide range of chronic fluoride doses. Industries sponsoring studies of fluoride
should be encouraged to make their data publicly available to aid in this evaluation.
Conduct analytical epidemiological studies to determine the relationship, if any, among
fluoride intake, fluoride bone levels, diet, body levels of nutrients such as calcium, and
bone fractures.
Conduct studies on the reproductive toxicity of fluoride using various dose levels
including the minimally toxic maternal dose.
Conduct further studies to investigate whether or not fluoride is genotoxic.