Grant: Master's Award: Canada Graduate Scholarships

About one-third of the Canadian population has fluoride added to tap water at the optimal concentration of 0.7 ppm to prevent tooth decay. This public health intervention is controversial because recent studies conducted in populations receiving optimally fluoridated water (or salt) suggest there may be adverse consequences on children's neurodevelopment. Nonetheless, no study to date has examined the impact of fluoride exposure on birth outcomes in a sample living with optimally fluoridated water. The present study will examine the impact of prenatal fluoride exposure on gestational age and birth weight in a Canadian pregnancy and birth cohort. A series of multiple linear regression analyses with adjustment for relevant covariates will be conducted to assess the association between maternal urinary fluoride and birth outcomes. Effect modification by sex will also be considered. Findings will inform public health policies on the safety of water fluoride levels for pregnant women living in Canada and other countries with fluoridation practices.