The standardized cancer mortality ratios for selected localities in New South Wales with fluoridated and non-fluoridated water supplies were examined. The cancer mortality ratios for both fluoridated and non-fluoridated localities were spread along a continuum. Two localities (one fluoridated, one non-fluoridated) had standardized mortality ratios significantly lower than the New South Wales State average. No relationship was found between cancer deaths and whether water supplies had been fluoridated or not.