NZ: Whangarei Dentist Says Fluoridation Out Of Date

7:37 AM, 12 May 2006

A Whangarei dentist says New Zealand health officials appear to be ignoring growing concerns overseas about fluoridation. Laurie Brett, a long-term critic of putting fluoride in water supplies, says there is mounting evidence that drinking the chemical is hazardous. He says while New Zealand Health officials still back fluoride, attitudes are shifting in the USA since a Harvard study linking fluoride with bone cancer in teenage boys. He says class actions are now being formulated in the American courts for those osteosarcoma victims. The Ministry of Health maintains fluoridation is safe and effective and is offering to pay the full cost of introducing it in the Far North. The Far North District Council says if people have strong views either way on fluoridation they should make them known as soon as possible. A Colmar Brunton phone survey, paid for by the Ministry of Health, is underway in Kaitaia and Kaikohe to test public opinion on the issue. But the council's chief executive, Clive Manley, says the poll only involved 600 people and if others want a say they are welcome to have one. Mr Manley says the council does not have a view on fluoridation, but if fifty per cent of those polled want it, it is likely to go ahead.