The question of whether to fluoridate water supplies to improve oral health, could soon be shifted from local councils to the director general of health, Ashley Bloomfield. Photo / File
The question of whether to fluoridate water supplies to improve oral health, could soon be shifted from local councils to the director general of health, Ashley Bloomfield. Photo / File
Councils across Hawke's Bay, the current decision-makers on fluoridating water supplies, seem supportive of a proposed law change to give decision-making responsibility to director general of health Ashley Bloomfield.
The Health (Fluoridation of Drinking Water) Amendment Bill proposed decision-making on fluoridation be shifted from local authorities to District Health Boards.
But a new proposal by Associate Minister of Health Ayesha Verrall would see this go one step further so decision-making sits with the director general of health.
She said this would simplify the process, creating a "nationally consistent approach, based on evidence".
Hawke's Bay District Health Board's chief medical and dental officer, Dr Robin Whyman, said he supported legislation that would transfer responsibility of fluoride from councils.
"I don't think it's a decision that should be made by public vote. It should be made by facts."
He felt many people would be confident in Bloomfield based on how he responded to Covid-19.
But he also wanted to see rural residents, who wouldn't have access to fluoridated town supply, supported.
Central Hawke's Bay mayor Alex Walker said it was positive that Government was assuming responsibility for a public health issue of such national importance.
She said if fluoridation was mandated, the costs should not be left to local ratepayers who had not been part of the decision making.
Some of the district's water supplies used to be fluoridated, but that was removed several years ago.
Central Hawke's Bay mayor Alex Walker supported the move but didn't want to see ratepayers bear the cost should fluoridation be mandated. Photo / File
Hastings mayor Sandra Hazlehurst said it was a health response and she looked forward to further guidance from council's District Health Board partners.
The council had been looking at returning to a fluoridated water supply by 2022. It was stopped when chlorine had to be used after the Havelock North gastroenteritis crisis in 2016.
