Toi Te Ora backs fluoridation

Dr Neil de Wet says everyone benefits from water fluoridation. Photo / George Novak

With water fluoridation in the news, Toi Te Ora - Public Health Service wants to ensure Rotorua residents have reliable and credible information on the controversial subject.

The Rotorua District Council is in the middle of a process to decide whether fluoride should be introduced to the district's water supply.

The council will debate the issue of water fluoridation at a meeting on Thursday from 7pm in the Council Chamber. The meeting is open to the public.

Lakes District Health Board Medical Officer of Health Dr Neil de Wet said everyone benefited from water fluoridation, especially children and those most at risk of poor oral health.

"The New Zealand Oral Health Survey 2009 showed that children and adolescents in fluoridated areas had, on average, 40 per cent less tooth decay than those in non-fluoridated areas."

Dr de Wet said compared with New Zealand as a whole, children in the Lakes District Health Board (LDHB) region had some of the poorest dental health statistics.

"For example, according to the most recent available Ministry of Health data, 56 per cent of Year 8 children in the LDHB area have tooth decay - this is the highest of all DHBs.

"It's a child's right to have the best opportunities society can provide to have good health, including good teeth. This is one of the reasons why water fluoridation is so important for Rotorua."

He said there was overwhelming consensus from national organisations that represent doctors, public health specialists and dentists, that water fluoridation is safe and effective in helping protect teeth from decay.

The Auckland water supply is fluoridated and residents of Hamilton, Hastings and Whakatane also showed their majority support for fluoride last year in their local referendums.

Along with brushing twice a day, choosing low sugar food and drinks and having regular dental check-ups, water fluoridation helped protect teeth and provided life-long benefits, Dr de Wet said.

"Fluoride is naturally present in the water we drink, but in Rotorua's water sources, like almost all New Zealand water sources, this is below the level that benefits teeth.

"Water fluoridation is when the natural fluoride level in the water supply is topped up with just enough fluoride to protect our teeth. Water fluoridation helps to protect teeth by making them stronger and by slowing down decay.

"It's also the best way to make sure everyone's teeth get some protection, especially those of children.

"Water fluoridation can be a contentious issue and often this arises from misinformation, which is why we are committed to providing accurate and credible information from reliable professional sources.

"I encourage you to visit the Toi Te Ora - Public Health Service website for information on water fluoridation," Dr de Wet said.

For more information visit www.ttophs.govt.nz/fluoridation or www.fluoridefacts.govt.nz.