Fluoridation

Press, 11 July 1979, Page 18

Fluoridation

Sir, — Dr Beck, of the Otago Dental School, “The Press,” July 7, says: “Fluoridation fears ‘groundless’.” Tl.e late Sir Arthur Amies, D.D.Sc., D.L.O. (Melb), F. R.A.C . S . , F.R.S.E., F.D.S.R.C.S. (Edin. and Eng.) F.R.A.C.D.S., Emeritus Professor of Dental Medicine, University of Melbourne, in a letter dated April 28, 1975 says: “The use of a fluoridated water supply may contribute to a limited reduction in the incidence of dental caries in young children, but the claims for its effectiveness are often based on superficial and inexact assessment. There is evidence to show that any effect is really one ~ f delay of the onset of caries and this effect gradually decreases as the child gets older. In this regard a false sense of dental security may be developed in both parents and the young patients. Although it is stated by some that fluoridation is’ absolutely safe, this is not so.” — Yours, R. BURROWS (Mrs) July 7, 1979.

Sir — In disagreeing with M. A. Boston (July 9) regarding fluoridation, I would suggest that a better contribution to our children’s health by our community in the International Year of the Child is the re-education of the eating habits of so many New Zealanders caused by our affluent society. Our forbears who came over the hill did not need to pollute their drinking water. Is your correspondent aware of the taste of fluoridated water and the effect it has on the pipes through which it comes? I will protest and ask how much further is our individual freedom of choice to be threatened? — Yours, etc.,

MARGARET MANNING. July 9, 1979.

Sir, — Regardless of the pros and cons of fluoridation, no-one, yes no-one, and that includes the Government, local bodies and the Dental Association, has the right to mass-medicate. C. M. CHING. July 10, 1979.

Sir, — My two children, aged 4 and 7, seldom drink water. If they feel thirsty, they usualiy drink milk. If the main aim of the fluoride campaign was to help children’s teeth rather than to enable large chemical companies to sell a waste product at a profit, the obvious answer would be to fluoridate a part of the milk supply. This would cost only a small fraction of the million dollars in ratepayers’ money heeded to fluoridate the whole water supply. I voted for Cr Garrett and her intentions are doubtless good, but I did not know she wanted to buy fluoride to flush down the city’s sewers at huge cost to the ratepayers. I also believed she was a supporter of private enterprise and freedom, but now I find her trying to extend compulsory medical treatment into an area where compulsion cannot be justified. — Yours, etc., MARK D. SADLER. July 9, 1979.