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Water Fluoridation

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 March 2014

Tuesday, 25 March 2014

Questions (1002, 1004)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1002. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the fluoridation of water (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12997/14]

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Ciara Conway

Question:

1004. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Health his plans to review or re-examine the practice and merits of adding fluoride to the public water supply; the amount this practice costs annually; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13008/14]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1002 and 1004 together.

The fluoridation of public water supplies is provided for in the Health (Fluoridation of Water Supplies Act) 1960. The Department of Health keeps the policy of water fluoridation under constant review. As part of this ongoing work, a review of evidence on the impact of water fluoridation at its current level on the health of the population and on the environment is being conducted by the Health Research Board on behalf of the Department. This review is due to commence in April 2014 and will be completed by December 2014.

The Department is also collaborating in a University College Cork-led research project, "Fluoride and Caring for Children's Teeth" (FACCT). The study will consider the impact of changes on the oral health of children, following policy decisions relating to toothpaste use by infants and young children made in 2002 and the reduction in the level of fluoridation in drinking water introduced in 2007. In addition, a study on general and oral health findings in adults linked to the duration of exposure to fluoridated water as part of the Irish Longitudinal Study on Aging (TILDA) will commence shortly.

The Forum on Fluoridation, established in 2000, reviewed the policy of water fluoridation and recommended in 2002 that it should continue as a public health measure. In 2011 a review by the European Union Scientific Committee on Health and Environmental Risk (SCHER) concluded that there are no known negative health implications from fluoridating water at levels used in the EU. The balance of scientific evidence worldwide confirms that water fluoridation, i.e. the adjustment of the natural concentration of fluoride in drinking water to the optimal recommended level for the prevention of dental caries, does not cause any ill effects and protects the oral health of the population.

Annual expenditure in recent years which includes operational costs, capital costs and the supply of hydrofluorosilicic acid has been in the region of €3.5 million - €4 million.

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