UK - Health chiefs to look again at fluoridation
Health chiefs to look again at fluoridation
Last updated 10:31, Friday, 03 October 2008
HEALTH bosses have decided that they would like to look further into adding flouride to water supplies in Cumbria.
with Have Your Say panelplus Text link:Send us your views on whether you agree with the addition of flouride to your water supply
Already around 130,000 people in West Cumbria receive fluoridated water, but a possible extension of the scheme could mean Carlisle, Penrith, Barrow, Kendal and surrounding areas are also included.
Plans are at an early stage but the county’s primary care trust board agreed last week that the matter should be investigated further by NHS Northwest, with the backing of local clinicians and the director of public health, to assess the feasibility of a water fluoridation scheme.
They claim that it could improve public health by helping to reduce tooth decay.
Some members of the public attended the board meeting to express their concern.
Liz Vaughan, of UK Councils Against Fluoridation, claimed that mass medication caused dental fluorosis, characterised by black and brown stains, as well as cracking and pitting of the teeth
She told board members that it could happen to three out of four children.
Doug Cross, a consultant in environmental studies, said fluoride required a medical licence and that there had never been an application to the regulator.
He said that it was not known how many people in West Cumbria had dental fluorosis because statistics are not collected.
“If you feel that it’s appropriate to expand the use of a substance that can cause this sort of damage then go ahead, but please be aware that the law says this substance requires a licence, ” he added.
Eric Rooney, a consultant in dental public health, said: “Children in the North West have some of the worst dental health in England, and Cumbria is no exception.
“Water fluoridation is one possible intervention to improve dental health and we already have fluoridation schemes in the West Cumbria area.”
Dr John Ashton, Cumbria’s public health director, said: “The vast majority of doctors and dentists in the UK endorse the fluoridation of drinking water as a safe way to improve dental health.
“Fluoride is already found naturally in water. Fluoridation schemes adjust the amount to the optimum level for protecting teeth.”
NHS Northwest will report back to Cumbria’s primary care trust towards the end of this year with a detailed scheme.
If the primary care trust’s board then approves NHS Northwest’s proposals, a public consultation will be carried out next summer.
Last updated 10:31, Friday, 03 October 2008
HEALTH bosses have decided that they would like to look further into adding flouride to water supplies in Cumbria.
with Have Your Say panelplus Text link:Send us your views on whether you agree with the addition of flouride to your water supply
Already around 130,000 people in West Cumbria receive fluoridated water, but a possible extension of the scheme could mean Carlisle, Penrith, Barrow, Kendal and surrounding areas are also included.
Plans are at an early stage but the county’s primary care trust board agreed last week that the matter should be investigated further by NHS Northwest, with the backing of local clinicians and the director of public health, to assess the feasibility of a water fluoridation scheme.
They claim that it could improve public health by helping to reduce tooth decay.
Some members of the public attended the board meeting to express their concern.
Liz Vaughan, of UK Councils Against Fluoridation, claimed that mass medication caused dental fluorosis, characterised by black and brown stains, as well as cracking and pitting of the teeth
She told board members that it could happen to three out of four children.
Doug Cross, a consultant in environmental studies, said fluoride required a medical licence and that there had never been an application to the regulator.
He said that it was not known how many people in West Cumbria had dental fluorosis because statistics are not collected.
“If you feel that it’s appropriate to expand the use of a substance that can cause this sort of damage then go ahead, but please be aware that the law says this substance requires a licence, ” he added.
Eric Rooney, a consultant in dental public health, said: “Children in the North West have some of the worst dental health in England, and Cumbria is no exception.
“Water fluoridation is one possible intervention to improve dental health and we already have fluoridation schemes in the West Cumbria area.”
Dr John Ashton, Cumbria’s public health director, said: “The vast majority of doctors and dentists in the UK endorse the fluoridation of drinking water as a safe way to improve dental health.
“Fluoride is already found naturally in water. Fluoridation schemes adjust the amount to the optimum level for protecting teeth.”
NHS Northwest will report back to Cumbria’s primary care trust towards the end of this year with a detailed scheme.
If the primary care trust’s board then approves NHS Northwest’s proposals, a public consultation will be carried out next summer.
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