Indifference to fluoridation

Press, 8 March 1978, Page 16

Indifference to fluoridation

Sir, —Mr Hay’s statements that fluoridation is a dead issue are irresponsible and disquieting. To quote from the Royal College of Physicians: “Dental disease is not tririal; it is responsible for much suffering, some deaths, great expense, and the loss of millions of man-hours annually.’’ Dental disease is endemic; it is the widestspread malady after the

common cold. Which medical problems in the city assume priority over one which affects 95 per cent of the residents? Socio-economic factors feature strongly in the fluoridation argument. The lower-income areas of the city, which are least able to afford dentistry, are the parts without fluoride. The Mayor persists in denying those who cannot afford a badly-needed preventive health measure. He has shown that he does not understand the problem; that he accepts unscientific “facts” while ignoring the best available medical advice; and that he has scant regard for the less advantaged sectors of the population.—Yours, etc., ALASTAIR BLACKTE. Dental Surgeon. March 4, 1978.