Editorial: Kids' teeth a concern we must all share

FILE

When confronted with statistics like 34,000 Kiwi children having teeth removed before their 14th birthday, it's pretty clear the state of kids' oral health is in a bad way.

Just a few weeks ago I was talking to dental nurses - the ones dealing with the problem day in, day out - who told me there was a whole array of horror stories they've seen when it comes to kids and teeth in the district. Our kids' teeth are some of the worst in the country.

Those in the dental profession are the first to admit that putting fluoride into the water supply isn't likely to be a cure-all. It has to be combined with education, good brushing habits and a change in what we let our kids eat and drink. But it is a step in the right direction.

Full credit to the Government for working to take the decision out of local councils' hands for health boards to consider.

Without doubt, they'll face strong opposition from those who see it as mass medication. Those opposed are a passionate bunch who are skilled at getting their point across.

Sometimes you have to decide whether or not to put your faith in the medical profession. They say it's safe, and they say it will make a difference, so just like with vaccinations, I've chosen to believe them.

Admittedly, those feeding their children sugary crap as a drink instead of water are unlikely to see big benefits from it. But there has to be a starting point; fluoride in the water is it.

And for those who believe it's going to negatively affect them - there are options. Get a filter which removes the fluoride, buy bottled water for drinking. The anti-fluoride people can make those choices for their individual families, but don't take the potential benefits away from a toddler who could well benefit from drinking fluoridated water.

The medical profession firmly believes that fluoridation over the long-term helps to build stronger teeth and, if that means fewer kids are having fillings before they start school or, worse yet, having rotten teeth pulled out before they're out of kindergarten, then let's do it.

Now it's time for the Government to follow it up with the introduction of a sugar tax to really see the country's kids reap the benefits.