UK - FLUORIDE TO GO NATIONWIDE
FLUORIDE TO GO NATIONWIDE
Health chiefs say it means fewer fillings for our children Critics say there's no proof and even claim it's a cancer risk By Stephen Hayward, And Vincent Moss, Political Editor 03/02/2008 Fluoride is to be added to the tap water in millions of homes.
Health Secretary Alan Johnson will this week announce the plan, aimed at strengthening children's teeth and reducing fillings.
It follows research showing that children in Birmingham - where fluoride has been added to drinking water for more than 40 years - have only half the tooth decay of children in Manchester, where it isn't.
A separate study found fluoridation increased the number of children with no tooth decay by 15 per cent. Mr Johnson said last night: "We have a duty to help areas with the worst record on tooth decay, to discuss this issue and take the necessary steps to improve their dental health.
"Fluoridation is an effective and relatively easy way to help give children from poorer backgrounds a dental boost that can last a lifetime." But the scheme is still set to outrage anti-fluoride campaigners who claim the health benefits are unproven. They say the plan - which will not apply in Scotland - is a breach of civil rights, and will not make up for a shortage of NHS dentists. Some even claim putting fluoride in water can lead to cancer and bone damage. John Graham of the National Pure Water Association said areas where tooth decay had fallen spent more on NHS dental care than other parts of the country. About 5.5million people in Britain already have fluoride added to their water.
Another 500,000 live in areas where fluoride occurs naturally, such as Hartlepool and parts of Essex. A Department of Health spokesman said talks will be held in before any decisions are made.
WHERE IT IS ADDED
Just 10 per cent of water supplies in England and Wales contain extra flouride.
Three UK water companies - Severn Trent, Northumbrian and Anglian currently add fluoride to supplies.
Health chiefs say it means fewer fillings for our children Critics say there's no proof and even claim it's a cancer risk By Stephen Hayward, And Vincent Moss, Political Editor 03/02/2008 Fluoride is to be added to the tap water in millions of homes.
Health Secretary Alan Johnson will this week announce the plan, aimed at strengthening children's teeth and reducing fillings.
It follows research showing that children in Birmingham - where fluoride has been added to drinking water for more than 40 years - have only half the tooth decay of children in Manchester, where it isn't.
A separate study found fluoridation increased the number of children with no tooth decay by 15 per cent. Mr Johnson said last night: "We have a duty to help areas with the worst record on tooth decay, to discuss this issue and take the necessary steps to improve their dental health.
"Fluoridation is an effective and relatively easy way to help give children from poorer backgrounds a dental boost that can last a lifetime." But the scheme is still set to outrage anti-fluoride campaigners who claim the health benefits are unproven. They say the plan - which will not apply in Scotland - is a breach of civil rights, and will not make up for a shortage of NHS dentists. Some even claim putting fluoride in water can lead to cancer and bone damage. John Graham of the National Pure Water Association said areas where tooth decay had fallen spent more on NHS dental care than other parts of the country. About 5.5million people in Britain already have fluoride added to their water.
Another 500,000 live in areas where fluoride occurs naturally, such as Hartlepool and parts of Essex. A Department of Health spokesman said talks will be held in before any decisions are made.
WHERE IT IS ADDED
Just 10 per cent of water supplies in England and Wales contain extra flouride.
Three UK water companies - Severn Trent, Northumbrian and Anglian currently add fluoride to supplies.
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