Fluoridation

Press, 10 July 1979, Page 20

Fluoridation

Sir, — Dental decay causes destruction of tooth tissues which may ultimately lead to tooth loss in young people. Older people generally lose teeth because of periodontal disease which causes destruction of the tissues supporting the teeth. Both decay and periodontal disease can be prevented. If we all kept our mouths clean all of the time, with every tooth surface continually cleaned of bacterial deposits, there would be no decay and no periodontal disease. We are all human and suffer from human failings. Our oral hygiene is never perfect, especially in areas between the teeth where frictional removal of bacteria is difficult. The incorporation of fluoride into dental enamel will reduce decay. Fewer cavities mean fewer fillings and less stagnation between the teeth, with easier cleaning of bacteria from smooth enamel surfaces. Periodontal disease is therefore reduced. Fluoridation is an effective proven public health measure, and I support it without reservation. — Yours, etc., RICHARD W. JEFFERIES, Periodontist. July 6, 1979. Sir, — On behalf of the people opposing fluoridation of our Christchurch pure water I would like to quote Sir Arthur Amies, who before his death, was Emeritus Professor of Dental Medicine at t! University of Melbourne. He said: “Water fluoridated to the so-called ‘optimum’ gives varying dosage of fluoride dependent on the amount of water drunk. Water consumption varies tremendously between individuals depending on factors such as age, habit, environment, health and disease. Therefore, it is impossible to control the individual dosage of fluoride obtained from the water supply. It is of significant importance to note that the proponents of fluoridation admit that twice the estimated dose obtained from water adjusted to the ‘optimum’ is beyond the margin of safety.” Let us leave fluoridation out of Christchurch water and so maintain our pure supply. — Yours, etc., (Mrs) P. PHIPPS, July 6, 1979.

Sir, — The dental profession is coming under fire for pressing fluoridation. While in my dentist’s wating-room I read a publication containing President Carter’s address to a recent American dental conference illustrating a world leader’s view of the dental profession’s cunpaign. “For more than a quarter of a century, dentists have carried the banner for fluoridation of our municipal water supplies. They have done so in the face of aggressive and sometimes slanderous campaigns in which even the basic loyalties of fluoridation proponents have been brought into question. Because of your steadfast support, millions of. children now enjoy far better dental health. While Governor of Georgia, I had the satisfaction ‘Sof signing a mandatory fluoridation bill. I believe now, as I . believed ■ then, that fluoridation is safe and that, it is the most effective public health measure available to improve the nation’s dental health and reduce unnecessary dental health expenditures.” ... I agree. — Y<,urs, etc., J. R. HOPKINS. July 6, 1979. Sir, —ln view of the claims of the anti-fluoride lobby, I believe readers would be interested in seeing the list of towns and* cities in New Zealand whose populations contribute to the 70 per cent total of NewZealanders on reticulated supply drinking fluoridated water: Ardmore, Ashburton, Auckland, Balclutha, Benhar, Birkenhead, Devonport, Dunedin, Eastbourne, East Coast Bays, Ellerslie,'Feilding, Gisborne, Glen Avon, Glen Eden, Gore, Green Bay, Green Island, Hamilton, Hastings, Hawera, Haywards, Henderson, Heretaunga, Hobsonville, Hokitika, Howick, Invercargill, Kaitaia, Kelston, Lower Hutt, Manawatu, Manukau, Masterton, Matamata, Methven, Mount Albert, Mount Eden, Mount Maunganui, Mount Roskill, Mount Wellington, New. : Lynn, .New-

market, New Plymouth, Ngaruawahia, Northcote, Ohawe, Okaiawa, One Tree Hill, Oroua, Otahuhu, Palmerston North, Papakura, Papatoetoe, Pinehaven, Porirua, St Kilda, Stokes Valley, Stratford, Swanson, T a k a p u n a , Taumarunui, Taupo, Tauranga, Tawa, Te Atatu, Thames, Timaru, Titirangi, Tokoroa, Turangi, Twizel, Upper Hutt, Waikanae, Waimairi, Wainuiomata, Wellington, Whakatane, Whenuapai, Waiouru, Whitby. — Yours, etc., M. MACDONALD. July 7, 1979.

Sir, — As a dentist I have no difficulty in telling a non-fluoridated mouth from a fluoridated mouth. The children with the benefits of fluoride have the good fortune to have caring parents (to provide daily fluoride tablets), or caring councillors who have fluoridated the public water supply (as in Waimairi). Those children will have their sparkling teeth for life, with minimal dental treatments, and reduced dental expenditure. They should (as the case dictates) express their gratitude for the responsible attitude of their parents and the high priority placed on health by their local authorities. Dentists feel sad that the majority of children in the Christchurch City Council area do not get the benefits of fluoride because of the low priority placed on dental health by the council committee as expressed by its anti-fluoride vote. These children are faced with a future of continuing dental disease and high future dental expenditure. — Yours, BRENT STANLEY, Dental surgeon. July 6, 1979.