UK - House of Lords - Asked by Earl Baldwin of Bewdley

Asked by Earl Baldwin of Bewdley

To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 7 December (WA 34-5), whether the recommendations in Sections 12.4, 12.7.2 and 12.9.1 to 3 of the York report will form part of the programme of further research into water fluoridation to which they are committed. [HL5220]

Earl Howe: The department has publicised the fact that it wishes to strengthen the evidence base on fluoridation and will consider, within available resources, soundly based proposals for research projects, including ones which reflect the recommendations of both the York report and the review by the Medical Research Council, Water Fluoridation and Health, published in 2002. A research project is under way on the extent and aesthetic effects of dental fluorosis and I understand the chief dental officer indicated, at a meeting with the noble Earl, that the evaluation of a new fluoride scheme would offer an opportunity to assess the effects on dental decay whilst adjusting for confounding factors. Any such evaluation could also be used to assess the cost-effectiveness of fluoridation.