Fluoridation on agenda in Northland

By TONY GEE

Northland local bodies are reviving their interest in fluoridation of town water supplies, with backing from the Health Ministry and Northland Health.

None of the public water supplied by Northland's three district councils is fluoridated and health authorities link this to the high rate of tooth decay in Northland children.

Statistics show the average Northland 5-year-old has almost three teeth missing, decayed or filled - the worst rate in the country - compared with the national average of nearly two.

Twelve-year-olds in the region also have one of the worst rates of decay and fillings.

Although Kaitaia's town water supply was fluoridated until two years ago, this was stopped for operational reasons, but residents were not told.

Following the ministry and Northland Health calls this year, the two biggest councils are consulting their water users.

Director-General of Health Karen Poutasi said in March that the ministry and Northland Health were keen to put pressure on local councils over fluoridation.

The Whangarei District Council will survey its residents soon before a decision is made by the end of the year.

"It's not the first time the issue has been raised. Proposals to fluoridate have been defeated before," council spokeswoman Ros Martin said.

She estimated about one-third of the district's population would not be affected because they relied on private supply or tank water.

The Far North District Council decided last week to consult residents on the matter.

Its operations manager, Geoff Cobb, estimated fluoridation in the region would cost about $500,000, with annual operating costs of about $30,000 to $50,000.

Fluoridation of Kaitaia's water supply was stopped as part of water-quality improvement work to prevent discolouration and staining from manganese and iron in the water.

A council staff report has been sought on reintroducing fluoride in Kaitaia and the issue will be considered at a meeting next month.

Fewer than half the Far North's 55,000 people are on council-supplied water systems. Around 30,000 rely on private bore supply, rainwater tanks and rural gravity feed systems.

Kaipara Mayor Graeme Ramsey said fluoridation attracted a minimal response when public feedback on the issue was sought as part of the district council's annual plan process last year.

"That indicated we had no mandate from the community [for fluoridation]. But if the Ministry of Health believes it's important after they've reviewed all the scientific data, they should tell us it's a national requirement and put up the funding, rather than leaving it to local bodies."

Bob McKegg, from Northland Health's public health unit and the Northland District Health Board's fluoride advocate, said 1999 figures showed just over 1.8 million people in New Zealand, or 57 per cent of the population, were drinking fluoridated water.

nzherald.co.nz/health