Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 May 2020
637. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the reviews carried out over the past nine years into the use of fluoride in water to ascertain the advantages and possible risk from same; the discussions that have taken place at EU level on the issue; the number of other EU countries that have the same policy as Ireland in relation to this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4654/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraWater fluoridation is the adjustment of the natural concentration of fluoride in drinking water to the optimal recommended level for the prevention of dental decay.
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. More recently the Department of Health asked the Health Research Board (HRB) to assess the existing evidence base to determine the impact on the systemic health of the population for those exposed to artificially fluoridated water. The HRB sought to answer this question using a systematic review process to analyse the evidence available in the peer reviewed literature. The review, published in 2015, found no definitive evidence that community water fluoridation is associated with negative health effects.
A research project Fluoride and Caring for Children's Teeth (FACCT), conducted by UCC (2013 – 2017) and supported by the HSE, indicates that fluoridated communities continue to have lower levels of tooth decay than non-fluoridated communities.
The Irish Expert Body on Fluorides and Health, established in 2004, monitors new and emerging issues on fluoride and its effects on health and related matters.
Many countries have water fluoridation schemes, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Spain, Australia and New Zealand. Water fluoridation is less common in Europe. However, fluoride is an essential part of oral health policy in all countries in Europe. In countries which do not fluoridate water this can mean fluoridation of salt or provision of community fluoridation through other means.
European Council Directive 98/83 allows for a maximum permitted concentration of fluoride in drinking water up to 1.5mg/litre (or parts per million), almost twice the maximum level permitted in Ireland, which is set at between 0.6-0.8 parts per million.
The Expert Body advises that the balance of scientific evidence worldwide confirms that water fluoridation, at the optimal level, is a safe and effective method of protecting the oral health of the population. The Department of Health keeps the policy of water fluoridation under constant review.
