East: Fluoride or no?

Deborah McGurran Politics Show East

MPs get a free vote on whether local health authorities should be allowed to put fluoride in our future water supplies.

Large area of the east of England have naturally-occurring fluoride in their water supplies.

Only 11% of the population have fluoridated water

Out of 56 constituencies here, 36, that is 64%, already have at least some fluoride in their drinking water.

• The worst tooth decay in our region is in Norfolk, which has no fluoride in the water.
• The least tooth decay is in coastal areas like Southend and the Wash where fluoride occurs naturally in the water.
• Of all the places with a better record, only one does not have fluoride.
• Of all the places with the with a worse record, none have fluoride in the water.

Incidence of dental decay with or without fluoride
No Fluoride		Fluoride added
Great Yarmouth	1.5	Corby	0.88
Mid Norfolk	1.5	Daventry	0.88
North Norfolk	1.5	Kettering	0.88
North West Norfolk	1.5	Braintree	0.86
Norwich North	1.5	Brentwood	0.86
Norwich South	1.5	Chelmsford West	0.86
South Norfolk	1.5	Rochford and Southend	0.86
South West Norfolk	1.5	Southend West	0.86
Source: Figures based on 2003 survey by the British Association for the Study of Community Dentistry

Now there are plans to allow water companies add fluoride to tap water in areas where health bosses and the public request it.

Public Health Minister and Welwyn and Hatfield MP, Melanie Johnson

The Water Bill makes provision for that local consultation to take place because the Government believes the addition of fluoride will mean better teeth, especially for children.

Public Health Minister and Welwyn and Hatfield MP, Melanie Johnson has told MPs;

What we are enabling is for local communities to decide what they want to do on this matter.

No fluoridation scheme will go ahead unless there has been wide-ranging consultations in which both the proponents and the opponents of fluoridation have been encouraged to participate and the majority of the population have indicated that they are in favour.

The measure, included in an amendment to the Water Bill, would take decisions on fluoridation out of the hands of the privatised utilities which now control the water supply.

A possible rebellion is expected as Labour MPs may join with Conservatives who area against the idea.

Some anti fluoride MPs say local authorities should take the decision not local health authorities.

Strategic Health Authorities decide

Water companies have had the power to add fluoride to water supplies since 1985 but have not done so for fear of legal action from those opposed to it.

Under the amendment, local health authorities will indemnify water companies if local people agree to fluoridate supplies, where it is necessary for public health.

Fluoridation will only take place if a water authority has been asked to do so by a strategic health authority, after consultation at local level has shown sufficient support for it.

Fluoridation has it's critics

But the move is controversial. Critics claim the move would be tantamount to mass poisoning.

They fear fluoride could be linked to increased risks of cancer, hip fractures, kidney trouble and birth defects.

The National Pure Water campaign group, has coordinated opposition to the fluoridation of water supplies.

It believes that to medicate the whole population against its will is not the way to deal with tooth decay.

But the Government has previously insisted there is no evidence to support claims of health risks from adding chemicals to drinking water.

And the idea is backed by the British Dental Association (BDA), which believes fluoridation would have a significant positive impact on the health of children's teeth.

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