FLUORIDATION COSTS

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28835, 4 March 1959, Page 18

FLUORIDATION COSTS

Government Aid Sought (New Zealand Press Association/ DUNEDIN, March 3. "The time for controversy is over. The Government should follow the lead of the Tasmanian Government and offer the full cost of capital outlay to any local body interested in fluoridation and give assistance on a £1 for £1 basis on subsequent expenditure,” Dr. J. P. Walsh, Dean of the Dental Schnsl.i said tonight

“I did not think fluoridation would still be a subject for debate in Dunedin,” said Dr. Walsh, who for the last four weeks has been in Adelaide at an Australian dental conference, followed by a seminar of participants from South-east Asia and the Western Pacific regions.

Scientifically fluoridation was such a dead issue that it had not been discussed at the seminar, although a representative of the United States Public Health Service, Dr. D. J. Galigan, had read a paper at the conference. “There has been enough talk,” said Dr. Walsh. "Let’s get on with the job. All this delay means that children are being deprived of a necessary medical benefit. “Dr. Galigan said that before there was a high degree of acceptance of any public health measure, three points had to be taken into account.—(l) Personal reaction—(“Am I personally susceptible to the disease?); (2) how Serious or great is this menace? and (3) will the proposed measures be effective?

“Die success of the cancer appeal in Otago and Southland showed how earnestly the average person had tried to answer these questions,” Dr. Walsh said. “Unfortunately, with fluoridation, the people who are in a position to help are not particularly concerned. The only people who can be affected are children, and they have no voice or, for that matter, the money. “Who will champion the cause of the children? There must be some responsible citizenship. There must be people willing to make the sacrifices. - “We have shown we can reduce dental decay effectively in New Zealand. How long must we go-on supplying proofs?” he said.