Australia - Leading dentist says anti-fluoride beliefs were ludicrous

FOR FLUORIDE: North Queensland Public Health specialist Dr Steven Donohue and director of Brisbane Dental Hospital Michael Foley believe fluoridation of water is vital.Lee Constable

WACKY conspiracy theories led to the decision to remove fluoride from the Rockhampton region's water supply, a leading dentist says.

Dr Michael Foley, spokesman for the Australian Dental Association, said there was a perception that fluoride caused cancer and made bones brittle; however what many people did not know was that all water contained some level of fluoride.

His comments come after 55% of the more than 300 people who voted in The Morning Bulletin's online poll called for fluoride to be reintroduced into the region's water supply.

Dosing of fluoride was removed from Rockhampton and Mt Morgan's water supply in July last year.

Dr Foley said the anti-fluoride beliefs were ludicrous and insulting to health professionals and scientific bodies.

The World Health Organization, The Australian Medical Association and The Australian Dental Association all back water fluoridation.

Dr Foley said they would not support it if they thought it caused health problems.

He said there was no "conspiracy theory" to set out and poison residents............


Wacky?