Australia - Fluoridate water, Abbott tells Qld

Fluoridate water, Abbott tells Qld
Saturday, 17 March 2007. 16:16 (AEDT)Saturday, 17 March 2007. 15:16 (ACST)Saturday, 17 March 2007. 15:16 (AEST)Saturday, 17 March 2007. 16:16 (ACDT)Saturday, 17 March 2007. 14:16 (AWDT)
Federal Health Minister Tony Abbott says Queensland's water supply should be fluoridated.
Mr Abbott has released a new study on dental health, which shows children born since 1970 have half the level of decay of their parents' generation.
The report's authors say it is the first evidence of the effectiveness of fluoride in water and toothpaste against dental decay.
Mr Abbott says the research strengthens the case for more water to be fluoridated, especially in Queensland.
"I think that the big problem is Queensland, where only 5 per cent of the population has fluoride in the drinking water and I think the best thing we could do for public dental health in this country is fluoridate the water supplies of Queensland," he said.