Department of Health - second letter
Department of Health
25 May 2005
Dear,
Thank you for your further letter of 19 May about water fluoridation.
In response to the strength of your concerns about the fluoridation of your water supply, I can assure you that the Government is continuing to support research into the effects of fluoridation in accordance with the recommendation of the York report. The research includes a project on public perceptions of fluorosis, and also a Government sponsored research project into the bioavailability of fluoride which addresses the issue of whether the chemicals used in artificial fluoridation have different effects tothe calcium fluoride which occurs naturally in water.
You may be interested to know that in June 2004, the School of Dental Sciences at the University of Newcastle, published a report of a study in which they concluded there was no statistically significant difference [in absorption of fluoride] between artificially and naturally fluoridated water, or between soft and hard water.
For the subjects in the study, there were small differences in indices of bioavailability betwe$n the trials of the various types of water, but the results were cqmpatible with the conclusion that the source of fluoride and the hardness of the water had no important influence on the bioavailablility of fluoride. This conclusion agrees with the findings of the earlier study quoted in the report, Chemistry and bioavailability aspects of fluoride in drinking water, which concluded in terms of chemistry and bioavailability 1here is absolutely no difference between added and natural fluoride. The report is available at: httQ://www.ncl.ac.uk/dental/research/diet/fluoride.htm
I would also like to reassure you that the Government has not suspended other forms of oral health promotion in favour of fluoridation. The measures the government is taking to reduce obesity referred to in Choosing a Better Diet - a food and health action plan, include atarget for a reduction in intakes of refined sugars. The Government also promote tooth brushing schemes whereby packs containing a toothbrush and tube of fluoridated toothpaste are issued free of charge to the families
of young children to get them into the habit of brushing their teeth regularly. However, evidence shows that it is very difficult to change behaviour in these respects. Water fluoridation can complement these individual interventions by reducing tooth decay on a population basis.
Finally, with regards to your concerns about the lack of dentists in Britain, you may be interested to know that as part of our programme of reforms to revitalise NHS dentistry we are recruiting the equivalent of 1,000 extra dentists. In addition to providing incentives for dentists to increase their NHS commitment and encouraging dentists taking career breaks to return to the NHS, we are also recruiting dentists from overseas. If you are experiencing difficulties registering with a dentist, may I suggest you telephone NHS Direct on: 08454647 for assistance in finding a dentist in your area.
I hope this reply is helpful and thank you again for writing.
25 May 2005
Dear,
Thank you for your further letter of 19 May about water fluoridation.
In response to the strength of your concerns about the fluoridation of your water supply, I can assure you that the Government is continuing to support research into the effects of fluoridation in accordance with the recommendation of the York report. The research includes a project on public perceptions of fluorosis, and also a Government sponsored research project into the bioavailability of fluoride which addresses the issue of whether the chemicals used in artificial fluoridation have different effects tothe calcium fluoride which occurs naturally in water.
You may be interested to know that in June 2004, the School of Dental Sciences at the University of Newcastle, published a report of a study in which they concluded there was no statistically significant difference [in absorption of fluoride] between artificially and naturally fluoridated water, or between soft and hard water.
For the subjects in the study, there were small differences in indices of bioavailability betwe$n the trials of the various types of water, but the results were cqmpatible with the conclusion that the source of fluoride and the hardness of the water had no important influence on the bioavailablility of fluoride. This conclusion agrees with the findings of the earlier study quoted in the report, Chemistry and bioavailability aspects of fluoride in drinking water, which concluded in terms of chemistry and bioavailability 1here is absolutely no difference between added and natural fluoride. The report is available at: httQ://www.ncl.ac.uk/dental/research/diet/fluoride.htm
I would also like to reassure you that the Government has not suspended other forms of oral health promotion in favour of fluoridation. The measures the government is taking to reduce obesity referred to in Choosing a Better Diet - a food and health action plan, include atarget for a reduction in intakes of refined sugars. The Government also promote tooth brushing schemes whereby packs containing a toothbrush and tube of fluoridated toothpaste are issued free of charge to the families
of young children to get them into the habit of brushing their teeth regularly. However, evidence shows that it is very difficult to change behaviour in these respects. Water fluoridation can complement these individual interventions by reducing tooth decay on a population basis.
Finally, with regards to your concerns about the lack of dentists in Britain, you may be interested to know that as part of our programme of reforms to revitalise NHS dentistry we are recruiting the equivalent of 1,000 extra dentists. In addition to providing incentives for dentists to increase their NHS commitment and encouraging dentists taking career breaks to return to the NHS, we are also recruiting dentists from overseas. If you are experiencing difficulties registering with a dentist, may I suggest you telephone NHS Direct on: 08454647 for assistance in finding a dentist in your area.
I hope this reply is helpful and thank you again for writing.
posted by Bill at
1:28 PM
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