Fluoride was on people's tongues at a Whanganui District Health Board committee meeting.
The health board made a submission to the Ruapehu District Council about adding fluoride to water in the Waimarino district - but committee member Stuart Hylton was unhappy the board did not have the opportunity to discuss it first.
"I would have liked to have some discussion on fluoride," Mr Hylton said. He felt the submission appeared to be representing the board, despite not having been to the board for endorsement.
"I have a personal view but I respect everyone else's views around the table. It's not as clear-cut as we all might think."
General manager of service and business planning Tracey Schiebli said the issue of water fluoridation had "huge agenda time on this committee and around the board", but health board management could not "act contrary to Government policy".
Committee member Maria Potaka said the submission, which supported council consideration of the Waimarino water supply, gave the impression that the board supported it as well.
Committee chairwoman Kate Joblin said the debate over fluoride "sucks everybody's energy".