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Water Fluoridation.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 June 2004

Tuesday, 29 June 2004

Questions (329, 330)

Enda Kenny

Question:

329 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on mandatory fluoridation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19599/04]

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Enda Kenny

Question:

331 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has plans to change the process and method of providing fluoridation to public water supplies; the scientific evidence available to him in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19602/04]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 329 and 331 together.

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. For example, in the Western Health Board, the fluoridation forum reported that the average number of decayed, missing, or filled teeth in 12 year old children was 4.2 in 1961; in 1992, a further study of 12 year old children in the board showed that the average number of decayed, missing, or filled teeth among lifetime residents of fluoridated communities was 1.6.

Furthermore, the safety and effectiveness of water fluoridation has been endorsed by a number of international and reputable bodies such as the World Health Organisation, WHO; the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention; the United States Public Health Service, and; the United States Surgeon General.

As the Deputy is aware, I established the forum on fluoridation to review the fluoridation of public piped water supplies in Ireland; its main conclusion was that the fluoridation of public piped water supplies should continue as a public health measure; it also concluded that 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.

The forum on fluoridation reported that the chemicals used to fluoridate public piped water supplies are manufactured to exacting quality standards; in fact, the fluoridation agent currently used in Ireland to fluoridate water is a primary product of a specific manufacturing process: it is not an industrial waste product as declared by opponents of fluoride technology.

Concerns were expressed about the presence of heavy metals in the fluoridating agent; therefore, the forum investigated the metals contents of a small number of samples of the agent; and it reported that the residual metals concentrations would be a tiny fraction of the guideline values recommended by the World Health Organisation. On the basis of these scientific findings, there are no requirements to change the method of fluoridating public piped water supplies.

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.

In all, the report of the fluoridation forum made 33 recommendations covering a broad range of topics such as research, public awareness, and policy and technical aspects of fluoridation. The expert body that was recommended by the forum has been established. Its terms of reference are to oversee the implementation of the recommendations of the forum on fluoridation; to advise the Minister and evaluate ongoing research, including new emerging issues, on all aspects of fluoride and its delivery methods as an established health technology and as required; and to report to the Minister on matters of concern at his or her request or on own initiative.

The expert body has broad representation, including from the areas of public health medicine, engineering, management, environmental protection, environmental health, dentistry, and health promotion. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that 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. The expert body will oversee the implementation of the wide-ranging recommendations of the forum and advise me on all aspects of fluoride going forward.

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