‘Review of Evidence’ Procedures

Adopted by Expert Body, 22nd February 2006

The Irish Expert Body on Fluorides and Health, was established in April 2004. Its Terms of Reference are:
•	To oversee the implementation of the recommendations of the Forum on Fluoridation.
•	To advise the Minister and evaluate ongoing research - including new emerging issues - on all aspects of fluoride, its delivery methods as an established health technology and as required.
•	To report to the Minister on matters of concern at his/her request or on own initiative.
The Expert Body continues to monitor new and emerging issues on fluoride and its effects on general health and related matters.

The Expert Body, at the outset accepted a fundamental scientific tenet that any single piece of scientific evidence by itself remains hypothetical unless it can be repeated or confirmed by other scientists. Therefore, any such evidence must be submitted to examination by other scientists, usually by publication in recognised scientific journals after the submission has been approved by independent referees. This procedure reflects a global scientific standard, adopted across all scientific disciplines. The peer review process provides both a rigorous evaluation on the procedures used in research and the conclusions drawn, as well as ensuring reproducibility of results. 

One of the main objectives of the Expert Body is to examine scientific evidence for and against water fluoridation. In reviewing such evidence the Expert Committee is of the view that any claims about the benefits or risks of water fluoridation must to be substantiated by recognised scientific studies and not by anecdotal evidence or individual experiences.