NZ - Public meeting to fight water change
Public meeting to fight water change
By JOANNA DAVIS - The Press | Monday, 22 January 2007
Anti-fluoride campaigners are gearing up to fight the possible introduction of the decay-fighting chemical into the water supplies of both Ashburton and Christchurch.
The Ashburton District Council has reopened the debate over fluoride after it realised decay levels in the town had leapt 25 per cent since fluoride was removed from drinking water in 2002.
A binding public referendum will be held in Ashburton from February 16 to March 10.
Most of Christchurch has never been fluoridated, unlike most major metropolitan areas in New Zealand, but the Canterbury District Health Board is pushing for it as "the most cost-effective, practical and safe" means of reducing tooth decay.
The Christchurch Anti-fluoridation Lobby will hold a public meeting in Ashburton this week because of concerns a decision to fluoridate there could affect Christchurch.
Group co-convener Yvonne McDonald said the lobby objected to the "mass medication" of fluoridation, particularly as Christchurch water had no added chemicals.
"It's a culturally unacceptable thing to do because we don't add anything to it and we're pretty well known for our excellent quality drinking water."
McDonald said children could get enough fluoride through fluoridated toothpaste, fluoride tablets, or from a gel available at dentists.
"It isn't right to impose a procedure on all and sundry for the benefit of a few," she said.
Dr Martin Lee, clinical director of Canterbury's school and community dental service, said he could understand the anti-fluoridation argument but "if you exercise your right to have untreated water then you're depriving others of the right to have good health".
Lee said Christchurch children had an average of 2.2 decayed, extracted or filled teeth by the time they were five. Rates of decay dropped 30% after fluoridation.
Lee said in Australia and Britain, health authorities took responsibility for deciding whether they should fluoridate.
The Christchurch Anti-fluoridation Lobby will hold a public meeting on Thursday, 7.30pm, at the Ashburton Hotel.
By JOANNA DAVIS - The Press | Monday, 22 January 2007
Anti-fluoride campaigners are gearing up to fight the possible introduction of the decay-fighting chemical into the water supplies of both Ashburton and Christchurch.
The Ashburton District Council has reopened the debate over fluoride after it realised decay levels in the town had leapt 25 per cent since fluoride was removed from drinking water in 2002.
A binding public referendum will be held in Ashburton from February 16 to March 10.
Most of Christchurch has never been fluoridated, unlike most major metropolitan areas in New Zealand, but the Canterbury District Health Board is pushing for it as "the most cost-effective, practical and safe" means of reducing tooth decay.
The Christchurch Anti-fluoridation Lobby will hold a public meeting in Ashburton this week because of concerns a decision to fluoridate there could affect Christchurch.
Group co-convener Yvonne McDonald said the lobby objected to the "mass medication" of fluoridation, particularly as Christchurch water had no added chemicals.
"It's a culturally unacceptable thing to do because we don't add anything to it and we're pretty well known for our excellent quality drinking water."
McDonald said children could get enough fluoride through fluoridated toothpaste, fluoride tablets, or from a gel available at dentists.
"It isn't right to impose a procedure on all and sundry for the benefit of a few," she said.
Dr Martin Lee, clinical director of Canterbury's school and community dental service, said he could understand the anti-fluoridation argument but "if you exercise your right to have untreated water then you're depriving others of the right to have good health".
Lee said Christchurch children had an average of 2.2 decayed, extracted or filled teeth by the time they were five. Rates of decay dropped 30% after fluoridation.
Lee said in Australia and Britain, health authorities took responsibility for deciding whether they should fluoridate.
The Christchurch Anti-fluoridation Lobby will hold a public meeting on Thursday, 7.30pm, at the Ashburton Hotel.
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