UK - Health chiefs to ignore Government fluoride plan

Health chiefs to ignore Government fluoride plan
By Rob Merrick
Government aim to tackle tooth decay in children
HEALTH chiefs in the region are ready to snub a government plea to add fluoride to tap water in a bid to cut tooth decay in children.
They say they have "no plans" to consult the public on pumping the mineral into every home, despite agreeing that it could protect children's teeth.
The policy will disappoint dental experts, who argue fluoride strengthens tooth enamel, making it more resistant to decay, and reduces the amount of acid produced by bacteria on the teeth.
But it will delight critics, who point to disputed studies linking fluoridation to bone cancer, hip fractures and higher levels of aluminium in the brain.
The National Pure Water Association calls it a "violation of human rights", arguing parents who fail to teach their children to brush their teeth can be targeted in other ways.
Tomorrow, Health Secretary Alan Johnson will urge all health authorities to press ahead with adding fluroide, arguing the health benefits are clear.
He will highlight the scandal of bad teeth in Middlesbrough where the average five-year-old has 2.84 decaying, missing or filled teeth - the fifth worst record in England.
In contrast, in Hartlepool - where fluoride occurs naturally - the figure is less than half that, at just 1.2 teeth decaying, missing or filled.
Mr Johnson will say: "I want the NHS to do much more to prevent rather than just treat disease.
"Fluoridation is an effective and relatively easy way to help address health inequalities - giving children from poorer backgrounds a dental health boost that can last a lifetime."
Health Secretary Alan Johnson
"Fluoridation is an effective and relatively easy way to help address health inequalities - giving children from poorer backgrounds a dental health boost that can last a lifetime.
"We have a duty to help the areas with the worst records on tooth decay to discuss this issue and take the necessary steps to improve their dental health."
Tonight, NHS North-East, the regional health authority, agreed that "significant benefits to oral health can be seen" in areas with fluoridation.
But, a spokeswoman added: "There are no immediate plans or current consultations around fluoridation."
Across the North-East, parts of County Durham have fluoridated tap water - either naturally, or artificially - as do Gateshead and Newcastle.
But it is fluoride-free in Darlington, Middlesbrough, North Tees, Redcar and Cleveland, Sunderland and South Tyneside.
Mr Johnson will remind health authorities that they were given the power to add fluoride to water - subject to public backing - as long ago as 2003.
A review by the University of York, in 2000, found water fluoridation increased the overall number of children without tooth decay by 15 per cent, the department of health says.