Fiji - Toothpaste crackdown

Toothpaste crackdown
SAMANTHA RINA
Sunday, August 01, 2010

WHOLESALERS have been given six months to remove non-fluoride toothpaste.
This as the Health Ministry strives towards the provision of better oral health for the public.
Speaking as chief guest at the launch of Oral Health Month on Friday night, Dr Neil Sharma said they had also raised the importance of having fluoridated water.
Dr Sharma said fluoride toothpaste was essential in their promotion of better oral health and the directive to stop the sale of non-fluoride toothpaste would ensure the public had access to fluoride toothpaste.
Dr Sharma said he had enquired with Colgate Palmolive Ltd on why it had not established a toothpaste plant in Fiji. Colgate general manager Keith Shortall said they had considered plans to establish such a plant and consultations were still under way.
To mark Oral Health Month from today, Mr Shortall said they had hired dentists who would provide free dental checks at seven public hospitals and private dental practices.