asked the Minister for Health if he will issue a warning to persons in areas where the water supplies will be fluoridated about the danger of using tooth paste containing fluorine.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fluoridation of Water: Tooth Paste Warning.
4.
Mr. Ryan
I am not aware that any tooth paste containing fluorine is on sale in this country at present. I am advised, however, that even if such a preparation did become available here in the future, it would not involve any danger to the health of persons in areas with fluoridated water supplies who might use the tooth paste.
Incidentally, I understand that claims made in respect of a particular dentifrice containing fluorine were investigated last year by the Council on Dental Therapeutics of the American Dental Association. The Council agreed that the manufacturers might include the following statement in their commercial advertisements:
"——(name of dentifrice) has been shown to be an effective anticaries dentifrice that can be of significant value when used in a conscientiously applied program of oral hygiene and regular professional care; —— (name of dentifrice) may also be of value as a supplement to public dental health procedures."
The Deputy will, of course, appreciate the important significance of the qualifications contained in the statement.
Mr. Ryan
Is the Minister aware that in certain areas in America, local authorities have in fact issued a warning against the combined use of fluoridated tooth paste and fluoridated water supplies?
I am not so aware and I have here in front of me a report of the American Dental Association in relation to the use of dental preparations containing fluorine. They say:
The effects of dietary fluoride and topically applied stannous fluoride appear to be additive. Children living in an area with fluoridated water received substantial benefit from topically applied stannous fluoride.
Mr. Ryan
Further arising out of that reply, which, in my opinion, was not a reply at all, would the Minister, in view of the fact that he said in his original answer that it was safe to use such tooth paste under regular medical care, or words to that effect——
I do not see the point in the Deputy's supplementary. I wish he would give some indication of what he has in his mind.
Do not get rude now.