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Water Flouridation.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 March 2004

Wednesday, 3 March 2004

Questions (41)

Damien English

Question:

112 Mr. English asked the Minister for Health and Children if the regulation amending the optimal level of fluoride in drinking water from 0.8 to 1.0 ppm to between 0.6 and 0.8 ppm as recommended by the forum on fluoridation has yet been implemented. [6889/04]

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Written answers

The use of fluoride technology is known to manifest a positive oral health outcome. Local and national surveys and studies conducted since the introduction of fluoridation in this country attest to the reduced dental decay levels of children and teenagers in fluoridated areas compared to those residing in non-fluoridated areas. The safety and effectiveness of water fluoridation has been endorsed by a number of international and reputable bodies such as the World Health Organisation, the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, the United States Public Health Service and the United States Surgeon General.

I established the forum on fluoridation to review the fluoridation of public piped water supplies in Ireland. The forum's report was launched on 10 September 2002 and its main conclusion was that the fluoridation of public piped water supplies should continue as a public health measure. The forum also concluded that: water fluoridation has been effective in improving the oral health of the Irish population, especially of children, but also of adults and the elderly; the best available and most reliable scientific evidence indicates that at the maximum permitted level of fluoride in drinking water at one part per million, human health is not adversely affected; and dental fluorosis, a form of discolouration of the tooth enamel, is a well-recognised condition and an indicator of overall fluoride absorption, whether from natural sources, fluoridated water or from the inappropriate use of fluoride toothpaste at a young age. There is evidence that the prevalence of dental fluorosis is increasing in Ireland.

The forum consisted of people with expert knowledge spanning the areas of public health, biochemistry, dental health, bone health, food safety, environmental protection, ethics, water quality, health promotion and representatives from the consumer and environmental areas. This diversity of professional backgrounds and representation was reflected in the comprehensive way the forum conducted its work and research. Ultimately, the forum took an evidence based approach to its examination of water fluoridation.

The forum on fluoridation made several recommendations concerning the continuing use of fluoride technology in this country. Re-defining the optimal level of fluoride in drinking water was one of the recommendations of the forum and these changes are part of a long-term strategy to reduce levels of mild dental fluorosis in children. The report made 33 recommendations covering a broad range of topics such as research, public awareness and policy and technical aspects of fluoridation.

The establishment of the expert body recommended by the forum is now well under way. The terms of reference of the expert body are: to oversee the recommendations of the forum on fluoridation; to advise the Minister and evaluate ongoing research —including new emerging issues —on all aspects of fluoride, its delivery methods and as an established health technology and as required; and to report to the Minister on matters of concern, either at his or her request or on its own initiative.

The expert body will have broad representation, including from the areas of dentistry, public health medicine, toxicology, engineering, management, environment and the public. Letters of invitation have been issued to prospective members of the body. Based on the acceptances which have been received, the body will have a strong consumer input in terms of members of the public and representatives of consumer interests, in addition to the necessary scientific, managerial and public health inputs. My Department is in discussions about the chair of the expert body and I expect to be able to announce a decision in that respect in the near future.

The secretariat of the body will be provided by the Irish Dental Health Foundation, an independent charitable trust which has been to the fore in securing co-operation between private and public dentistry and the oral health care industry regarding joint oral heath promotion initiatives. The foundation's stature and expertise place it in an excellent position to support the work of the forum in its initial stage. The forum's report envisages that the work of the expert body may be subsumed into the health information quality authority in due course. The support of the foundation allows us to press ahead with the establishment of the expert body in advance of the establishment of HIQA. I understand that the intention is to have an inaugural meeting of the expert body in early April.

A large body of research on different aspects of fluoride technology has been completed and this will be considered by the expert body. It is anticipated that the work of the expert body will impact on the applicable regulations and that the amendment to the recommended level of fluoride will be addressed in that context.

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