"We called for public feedback on this four or five years ago and most people were against it, but the Hawke's Bay District Health Board presented to the council and managed to change the council's decision in favour of keeping fluoride," Mr Butler said. "It's always been a bit of a contentious issue and there was a lot of animosity about that decision which is why we've revisited it again."
Mr Butler said the issue was raised by the community, not initiated by councillors. "We've got two dentists in town and one is against it and one is for it. We had asked for all of the dentists in Hawke's Bay to make submissions to gauge their opinions, but only about eight did so."
Hastings Fluoride Action Group spokeswoman Angela Hair, one of the submitters asking for the chemical to be removed, said the council's decision would aid the group's campaign next year when Hastings people vote in a referendum on whether they want to keep fluoride in that town's water.
"We are gearing up for the referendum, which can be difficult because it means people will have to be educated so they can vote on what is a complicated matter.
"We are going to hold some public meetings and the [Hastings district] council has agreed to help us supply information but really this should be the responsibility of the DHB to look at research and the impacts of fluoride." She said research showed the best way to administer fluoride was via toothpaste and brushing teeth, or when it was applied by a dentist.
Fluoride Action Network New Zealand co-ordinator Mary Byrne said councils around the country were finding the touted benefit of reduced dental decay was not what it was thought to be. "There are now only 23 councils out of a total of 69 that continue fluoridation in New Zealand."
