NZ - Beginning of the end for fluoridation

Beginning of the end for fluoridation
MATT RILKOFF
A bombshell decision to end water fluoridation in New Plymouth is being heralded as the beginning of the end for the practice in New Zealand.
The New Plymouth District Council yesterday voted to stop fluoridation in the district after more than 40 years of adding the chemical to its water to reduce dental decay.
Mary Byrne of anti-fluoride group Fluoride Action Network New Zealand said the decision could lead to a domino effect of other councils rejecting the chemical.
"It has to because we have got New Plymouth and the Ruapehu District Council both deciding to turn it off.
"The other councils don't have a leg to stand on. What this does is legitimise it.
"It will give other councils the courage to make the right decision and it also makes a lot of them realise this is a serious mainstream issue," Ms Byrne said.
The decision was the biggest anti-fluoride victory so far, made more significant because councillors held a two-day tribunal to hear both sides of the argument before reaching their conclusion.
"I think what will happen is I think this New Plymouth decision will shake up the remaining councils.
"Because we now have 25 councils out of 69 that have fluoridation and they will start wondering if they are doing the right thing ... I definitely think this is the beginning of the end."
More than half of New Zealand's population supplied with fluoridated water – Christchurch is the only main centre with non-fluoridated water.......