Public Relations On Fluoridation

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28532, 11 March 1958, Page 12

Public Relations On Fluoridation

In spite of the establishment of a national authority to encourage, advise and assist local, authorities with the installation and maintenance of fluoridation plants for public water supplies, the special advisory committee which the district medical officer of health, Dr. A. Douglas, plans to form in Christchurch can serve a useful purpose. It will. Dr. Douglas said, “ generally establish public ° relations ” on fluoridation. Such work, unfortunately, is still necessary. Last year the Fluoridation Commission, after an exhaustive inquiry, found that the fluoridation of water supplies was effective in checking dental decay and involved no risk to health. The incidence of dental decay in New Zealand is widespread and severe; the sustained dental health programme has not been effective in preventing it; and its control is beyond the resources of New Zealand’s dental services. As

a result, the commission recommended the fluoridation of public water supplies. In spite of the findings, some misguided persons persist in condemning fluoridation and in sowing doubts in the public mind about its usefulness. Experience in other countries has shown that fluoridation will give substantial benefits. The committee, which will consist of dentists, doctors, and local body members, will make these points clear to the public so that fluoridation will be accepted with confidence when the necessary plant has been installed in Christchurch. The national committee, the establishment of which was recommended by the commission, will advise and assist in the installation of the plant. Since there are special difficulties in fluoridating the city’s isolated artesian wells, the local committee may well be able to give some help in this.