Australia - NWHHS support fluoridation of water supplies

 NWHHS Board Chair Paul Woodhouse has welcomed the growing support for the fluoridation. North West Hospital and Health Board Chair Paul Woodhouse has welcomed the growing support for the fluoridation of town water supplies.  Mr Woohouse said the lack of fluoridation in local water was initially raised as a significant risk for oral health several months ago by Board Member and public health physician Dr Kathryn Panaretto. “Dr Panaretto has extensive experience in the North West as a GP at Mount Isa’s Gidgee Healing,and with the Remote Women’s Health clinics at Julia Creek and Cloncurry.’’ Mr Woodhouse said North West HHS oral health practitioners had said fluoridated communities had up to 50% less dental decay than non-fluoridated communities.

READ ALSO: Calls for Mount Isa to fluoridate its water

“Fluoridation addresses inequities in dental decay rates, reducing the gap between high and low socio-economic groups in terms of dental decay experience. It is cost-effective and benefits all ages,” Mr Woodhouse said.

Mr Woodhouse said he had met with Queensland’s Chief Dental Officer Dr Mark Brown and Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Jeanette Young and had also raised the matter with Health and Ambulance Services Minister Steven Miles................