asked the Minister for Health if any assessment of the effectiveness of the fluoridation of water supplies has been undertaken recently in relation to the prevention of dental caries.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dental Caries.
6.
Studies of the effectiveness of flouridation are constantly undertaken throughout the world. They continue to show, with remarkable consistency, that fluoridation of piper water supplies results in a significantly lower prevalence of dental caries.
Similar findings emerged from surveys of school children undertaken in Cork city in 1969 and in Dublin in 1970. The results of a follow-up survey in Dublin in 1975 have not yet been published, but are understood to support the earlier findings.
There is also a long-term study being undertaken in the Cork area on behalf of the Committee on Dental Caries and Fluorides. Again, while the results have not yet been published, interim reports indicate a significant improvement in the prevalence of dental caries among children in the fluoridated areas as compared with the prevalence among children not covered by the fluoridated water supply.
Could the Minister give an assurance that the parts per million which are added to the water supply are carefully monitored to ensure that there is no under-supply or over-supply of the fluorine in the public water supply?
I can give that assurance.
Could the Minister explain to the House the method by which the fluorine is added?
It is .8 of one part of a million.