Fluoride will be added to UK drinking water to cut tooth decay

Chief medical officers cite estimates that more mineral in water would reduce cavities by 28% among poorest children

Fluoride is expected to be added to drinking water across the country after Britain's chief medical officers concluded that the mineral would cut tooth decay.

Chris Whitty, the chief medical officer for England, and his counterparts in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland cited estimates by Public Health England that adding more fluoride to water supplies would reduce cavities by 17% among the richest children and 28% among the poorest.