NZ - Health Ministry figures again show fluoridation pointless

Health Ministry figures again show fluoridation pointless
Friday, 7 January 2011, 1:05 pm
Press Release: Fluoride Action Network
Health Ministry figures again show fluoridation pointless

The 2009 school dental statistics have been released by the Ministry of Health. “As in 2008, these show no real benefit from fluoridation, but that socioeconomic (SE) status (decile) is the main factor in tooth decay says Mark Atkin, spokesperson for health activist organisation Fluoride Action Network NZ. Yet remarkably, low decile Counties Manukau shows less decay in the un fluoridated children. “So much for fluoridation helping the poor!” adds Mr Atkin. Once again the Ministry claims total figures, unadjusted for SE status, as showing around 30% benefit for 11-12 years olds. But splitting these between higher and lower SE areas shows no statistically significant difference in DMFT (tooth decay, mainly number of fillings) or percent of children without any decay for the high decile areas. Even in the low decile areas, the claimed benefit (1/5 th of a filling, and 3% extra caries-free children) is within fluctuations since 2000................