Professor Leo Stassen:

To be fair, it is acknowledged in the policy. The study examined children who were living continuously in areas where water was fluoridated. It did not, for a long period, take account of those in care settings or who arrived into the country. One of our members, a colleague, estimated that perhaps 20% of the population were excluded. Obviously, 80% were included, but the view of the experts we consult suggests it means that the level of decay is under-reported. If one examines the profile of those excluded, one notes that they present with greater levels of decay. What we are really saying is there is a significant number of caries or level of dental decay and that it is greater than the report suggests. Every survey works on certain assumptions. I am sure the one in question was appropriately designed and executed. However, the assumptions did exclude large numbers of people.

All told, this suggests the level of decay around us is greater than is suggested in the report.