Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 June 2012
922 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Health if any cost benefit analysis has been performed in the past five years on the estimated €3 to €4 million annual cost of water fluoridation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26874/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra955 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the evidence upon which he bases the decision that fluoridation of water is healthy for human consumption; if he has carried out studies monitoring the overall oral health benefits for the Irish population from use of fluorides in water; if his attention has been drawn to the recent studies published by the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology which links fluoride with brain damage; the reason Ireland is one of the only countries in the EU to administer fluoride in public water supplies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27164/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 922 and 955 together.
My Department has not conducted a cost benefit analysis on the policy of fluoridation. Policy on this issue is guided by international studies, which indicate that the cost of water fluoridation is a small fraction of the savings in dental treatment costs.
The Irish Expert Body on Fluorides and Health confirms that, based on the review of all previous and current international and national scientific data, the balance of this scientific evidence worldwide confirms that water fluoridation, at the optimal level, does not cause any ill effects and continues to be effective for protecting the oral health of all age groups. These issues have also been addressed by other recognised authorities such as the World Health Organisation. The EU Scientific Committee on Health and Environmental Risks (SCHER), published its ‘Opinion on critical review of any new evidence on the hazard profile, health effects, and human exposure to fluoride and the fluoridating agents of drinking water' in May 2011. +The main conclusions of the SCHER report are that there are no known health implications from fluoridating water at levels used in the EU. There is also extensive evidence in Ireland from a series of national, regional and cross-border studies conducted between 1984 and 2006 that fluoridated drinking water substantially improves the dental health of children and adults.
The Irish Expert Body does not agree with the views expressed by the organisation referred to by the Deputy. This group does not appear to have formal accreditation as an academy and is not recognised as the representative voice for the fields of oral medicine and toxicology.
