[Cost-benefit analysis of fluoridating the public water supply of the city of Málaga].

The aim of the present study was to assess the cost-benefit of the program of fluoridation of the public water supply in the city of Málaga. Marginal benefits and the rate cost/benefit were the two parameters used to evaluate the cost-benefit. We have considered all the information available about similar experiences performed in other countries and about the particular aspects of the city in which this program was going to be set up. The cost of fluoridation per inhabitant per year and the effects of the cost of fluoridation on the price of the water supplied were also estimated. The program for the fluoridation of the public water supply in Málaga is profitable from the first year, as for each peseta spent we will benefit 2.10 pesetas. After 20 years of public water fluoridation the net benefit of this program will reach between 519 and 5,300 millions pesetas.