UK - Dental milk fluoride levels could increase in Winsford primary schools

Dental milk fluoride levels could increase in Winsford primary schools
23rd January 2013 in News By Matthew Taylor

FLUORIDE levels in Winsford primary school children’s dental milk will be increased under Cheshire West and Chester (CWAC) proposals.
In a bid to reduce the estimated 31 per cent of 5-year-olds suffering dental decay, CWAC are supporting recommendations to up fluoride content from 0.5 to 0.8 mg per 189ml carton.
Parents will be sent notification forms asking whether they want to continue or opt out of the dental milk scheme, currently operated by eight primary schools in the town, with 81 per cent of drinkers consuming fluoridated milk.
Winsford Town Council is to consult widely with schools and parents on whether to back the increase, which has been advised by the National Fluoridated Milk Advisory Group (NFMAG), following studies by Newcastle University scientists.

Town clr Don Beckett said: “I think we should do another check with residents receiving it and whether they think it should be upped. The juries out on whether it’s better for everyone.”
The fluoridated milk scheme was introduced in Winsford in the early nineties. Winsford Town Council is the only authority in the borough to offer infant and nursery classes free, mid morning dental milk - which has been proven to fight tooth decay.
CWAC’s report on the increase states: “Dental decay in young children continues to have considerable public health significance in areas of high deprivation in England. The disease and its consequences are very expensive to manage.

“The appropriate use of fluoride has been the major reason for the improvement in oral health over the last 40 years, but unacceptable inequalities remain.”

The report adds that ‘it is expected that an adjustment of the fluoride in milk will have a positive impact on child dental health.’