Two high profile advocates for community water fluoridation appointed to the British Fluoridation Society

The chair of BFS, Steve Bedser, commented, “Alan joins a long line of high profile social justice campaigners who have added their name to a BFS vice president role. Both Alan and Barry have a great record as water fluoridation advocates. I am confident that both will be great assets to the society.”

Alan Johnson was the Labour MP for Hull West and Hessle for 20 years, and he actively supported the proposal to introduce water fluoridation. The oral health of children in this area is among the worst in England, making water fluoridation a “no brainer,” he says. No longer an MP, he remains a champion of targeted water fluoridation both in Hull and nationally. Alan served in both the Blair and Brown governments and was secretary of state for health from 2007-2009. He is now a celebrated author.

Barry worked tirelessly to introduce water fluoridation in Southampton while CDO for England (2005-2015). Supported by the BFS, the BDA and many other organisations, his impeccable campaign was ultimately successful at judicial review. Regrettably, the scheme was not implemented because new legislation – the Health and Social Care Act 2012(1) – was introduced at a critical juncture and abolished Strategic Health Authorities, consigning this important victory to history.