Fluoridated milk on school menu

Fluoride can help prevent tooth decay

Schools in a County Durham town are offering fluoride-enriched milk in a bid to combat tooth decay.

Sedgefield Primary Care trust set up the initiative after a survey in 2000 found 56% of children suffered from decay by the time they were five.

Fluoridated milk is ordinary whole milk with 0.5mg of fluoride, the amount needed to strengthen teeth against decay, added to a 189ml carton,

Children can opt into the free scheme at six schools.