Under a third have visited an NHS dentist in 2021, compared to over 40 per cent around England.
Arif Rajpura, Blackpool's director of public health, discussed the importance of lobbying for water fluoridation at a meeting with the town’s health and wellbeing board. Arif said this was an essential measure to help tackle the issue.
The calls from Arif follow NHS data, which revealed that only 35 per cent of adults in Blackpool received NHS dental care in 2022.
Speaking to the BBC, Arif stated, "Ultimately we would like a water fluoridation scheme and it is important to keep lobbying around that.
"We don’t have fluoride in our water although we do have it in school milk."
From 2016, primary school children in Blackpool have been given fluoridated milk, in the school breakfast programme.
The NHS website states that lots of regions in England already have fluoride in the water. It found “water fluoridation appears to contribute to reduced tooth decay levels and doesn’t seem to be associated with any significant health risks”.
Also, Arif supported announcements in the king’s speech, such as banning junk food advertisements for young people, which could better oral health.
He also commented that evidence showed that the sugar tax on fizzy drinks was helping, and the number of tooth extractions decreased.
Arif’s statement followed the health and wellbeing board's approval of the council’s Oral Health Strategy until 2028.
Blackpool Council has stated the aims of its strategy include:
- Encouraging oral health through the improvement of diet and a reduction of junk food, alcohol and tobacco
- Better oral hygiene
- Campaign for the fluoridation of water supplies
- Promote regular dental visits
- Easier access to NHS dental care