Australia - Give us fluoride

Badger Creek resident Rena Mauldon is disappointed at the effect she believes unfluoridated water has had on her daughter Leylah’s teeth

Give us fluoride
By Monique Ebrington
21st July 2009 02:00:20 AM
YARRA Valley’s unfluoridated water has parents concerned about the quality of their children’s teeth.
Badger Creek resident Rena Mauldon wasn’t smiling when she took her five-year-old daughter Leylah to the dentist earlier this month.
Ms Mauldon said she and Leylah had a stringent tooth brushing routine and avoided giving her daughter lollies and cordials.

So when Ms Mauldon took Leylah to the dentist she was shocked about the poor quality of her daughter’s teeth.

“When the dentist told me about the decay in Leylah’s teeth I felt horrible, like I had done something wrong,” Ms Mauldon said.

“I thought I had taken all the precautions to avoid her having bad teeth,”

“The dentist asked, do we have fluoride in water because if you don’t then that’s a big issue. I was like, OK if she said that then I’m going to get fluoride.”

Ms Mauldon said she was also surprised when she couldn’t find fluoride supplements at both of Healesville’s pharmacies.

Healesville Pharmacy pharmacist John Gaunson has been at the store for more than 20 years and said that a lack of demand has stopped his pharmacy from keeping fluoride supplements.

“We used to stock drops and tablets, however, if we don’t sell them we don’t keep them,” Mr Gaunson said.

“I think they [residents] expect the water supply to be fluoridated.”

According to Melbourne Water, ‘fluoride in water helps prevent tooth decay and is particularly effective in protecting children’s teeth while they are forming and helps reduce dental decay in adult teeth.’

The Mail understands the decision as to which communities have fluoridated water rests with the Department of Human Services (DHS).

DHS spokesman Bram Alexander said residents in Healesville and Badger Creek were drinking unfluoridated water.

He said communities interested in having fluoride extended to their area should approach their local MP or the Department of Human Services.

“The Victorian Government has a policy of extending the benefits of fluoridated drinking water supplies to those parts of Victoria that currently do not have it,” Mr Alexander said.

“Fluoride is safe and effective and is supported by all leading national and international health and dental organisations. The jury is in on fluoride — it is beneficial for the dental health of the entire population.”

Ms Mauldon said she has heard other mothers speaking of their child’s major dental work and hoped other parents were aware that there was no fluoride in the water.

“I’d hate for other parents to feel the same way I did when I took Leylah to the dentist that day,” she said.

“I felt like I was the one who had let her down.”

Hope somebody informs her about the negative side of fluoridation.