Haha! That's funny.

How was the index constructed? What are the variables?

OMG - the answer is simple. Global Warming! (Sarc)

If it is accurate, my conclusions would be 1) florination makes little difference and 2) sugar is a killer.

Not much difference between fluoride and non fluoride. So, why bother spending the dough for nil? Then there is the possibility of side effects such as autism. Not to mention I hate government mandates.

I would be shocked if it hadn't declined in modern western influenced countries like these.

I would be shocked if it hadn't declined in modern western influenced countries like these.

You forgot water piks which some doctors recommend as much better than floss (as applied in a hurry by non-pros.)

Those who commission the studies may be counting on boggled minds and friendly (corrupted) "journalists." Giving government power to dictate diet supplements is a big mistake.

Thanks, jb. Have to look for it on my next trip o/s.

This is very interesting (thanks FFA).
Just on this data, yes, there has been a marked improvement in dental health, but why?
The explanation could be simply more flossing, brushing, and education. (thanks, salta and Danno).

However, there is also data on dental health comparing areas with naturally occurring fluoride with areas with low fluoride in water supplies, the data show better dental health in the areas with natural fluoride.

Memo- The selection of data to fit a preconceived result is a big topic. The work of researcher Ancel Keys showed the health risks of high cholesterol. Bit if data was used from all countries which had data -not just the seven countries Keys used- the story is ambiguous.
As for the Hockey Stick of Michael Mann, 'the mind boggles'.

If you really want to not only repair tooth decay but osteoporosis as well, you want a toothpaste with Bioglass, the invention of my recently deceased friend, Larry Hench. He was a member of my department in his last couple of years.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bioglass
http://www.fit.edu/faculty/profiles/p...

http://ceramics.org/ceramic-tech-toda...

To get the toothpaste with Bioglass in it, you want a non-American version of Sensodyne Repair and Protect. If you want an American version, you have the FDA to blame. While Bioglass has been approved for surgery since 1994, the FDA stands in the way of better teeth here in America.

It was due to better mouth hygiene especially brushing and flossing which I had to practice in Public School Grade 2.

Not sure why there is a multi-decade downward trend. If the flouride was the cause of the decline would the main drop be in the early years of flouridation, stabilizing it at a new low level?
Also, the chart shows a similar decline in the non-flouridated countries, so maybe all the improvement was down to better education, better toothpaste, etc.