NZ - Top dentist applauds Government's bill to give fluoride decision to Ashley Bloomfield instead of councils

 One of Taranaki’s top dentists says New Plymouth can get out of the ‘’dark ages of tooth decay’’ once the decision to add fluoride to the water is taken away from councils.

On Thursday, Associate Health Minister Dr Ayesha Verrall announced the Government was taking the control of water fluoridation away from councils and giving it to health director general Dr Ashley Bloomfield.

The Health (Fluoridation of Drinking Water) Amendment Bill initially proposed decision-making on fluoridation to shift from local authorities to District Health Boards, but an amendment will move that decision to the Director-General of Health.

The Bill was introduced into the House in 2016 and Verrall expected it to pass this year.

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* Water fluoridation powers to be taken off councils, giving control to Dr Ashley Bloomfield

The move has been welcomed by New Plymouth District councillor Gordon Brown, who says fluoride needs to be put back in the district’s water.

But former councillor Shaun Biesiek, who voted have fluoride removed 10 years ago, said nothing had changed and there was still no evidence that fluoride stopped tooth decay.

New Plymouth mayor Neil Holdom said it was ‘’entirely sensible given this was a public health matter”.

‘’And the Director General of Health is the appropriate person to make that decision.’’

If down the track New Plymouth has to put fluoride back in the water the equipment was there, and it would not be a significant cost, Holdom said.

Dr David Antunovic, New Zealand Dental Association (NZDA) Taranaki Branch President, said the Director General of Health will have the resources to make decisions based on the real health benefits that community water fluoridation can provide.

‘’We can now exit the dark ages of unnecessary dental decay and join the renaissance of good oral health for all New Zealanders for life.”

The policy had the potential to lead to huge reductions in tooth decay, particularly for children, Antunovic said in an emailed statement.........................