Fluoride decision

17 November 2014
Volume 30 · Issue 3

Following the news that Southampton City Council have withdrawn plans to fluoridate the area’s water supplies, chief executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, issued the following comment,“It is disappointing to learn that Southampton City Council has given in to anti-fluoride protestors in the face of clear evidence from Public Health England on the benefits of fluoridation.

“Extensive reports of three and five year-olds with tooth decay – something highly prevalent in this particular region in the UK – have also been ignored. Fluoridating the water supply, an idea the abolished Southampton City Primary Care Trust supported, would have been a significant step in reversing this problem.

“Tooth decay remains the most prevalent chronic disease in both children and adults, even though it is largely preventable. It falls on dental professionals to continue to educate local residents about practices of good oral health. Fluoride varnish treatments in practices, schools and socially deprived areas are the best chance we have to implement preventive measures. We will continue to lobby for nation-wide fluoridation as we believe it is the biggest single action the Government can take to reduce and tackle tooth decay.”