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ANGER AT DECISION ON FLUORIDE |
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 26th February 2009
Decision makes fluoridation of water supplies in Gloucestershire more likely
A vote today by health bosses means fluoride will be added to tap water
in Southampton despite 72% of 10,000 respondents in a public
consultation opposing the plan. The move raises concerns for Stroud
Greens who see it as a step closer to fluoridation locally. Already
this month NHS Bristol have announced they are considering the
fluoridation of Bristol’s drinking water.
Cllr Philip Booth, a Green party Stroud District councillor and spokesperson of the Safe Water Campaign for Gloucestershire, which has over 1,500 Gloucestershire supporters, said: "This decision is utterly disgraceful. The health authority have refused to listen to all the evidence that has been given to them and have ignored the will of the people: 72% didn't want it and yet they still are going to do it. It is deeply unethical and sadly will lead to attempts to introduce fluoridation in other parts of the country."
Philip Booth added: "This is clearly a human rights issue: no one should be medicated without their consent. Furthermore the Government's own scientific review found very little evidence to show that fluoridation of our water supplies improves dental heath. Moreover, its chair, Professor Sheldon, stated that 'the review did not show water fluoridation to be safe'. Many people have real health concerns about adding fluoride to our water."
It is the first time a health trust in England, rather than water companies, has been allowed to introduce fluoridation under the new law that this Government has brought in. Southampton City Council was in favour but the larger Hampshire County Council was against the plan, which will affect 200,000 people.
John Spottiswoode, chairman of Hampshire Against Fluoridation and a Green party spokesperson, said they would still be looking at ways to prevent fluoridation: "We think it's illegal and are thinking what we do next, maybe taking it to the courts in Europe."
Dr. Peter Mansfield, a physician from the UK and an advisory board member of the York review said: "No physician in his right senses would prescribe for a person he has never met, whose medical history he does not know, a substance which is intended to create bodily change, with the advice: 'Take as much as you like, but you will take it for the rest of your life because some children suffer from tooth decay. ' It is a preposterous notion."
Philip Booth concluded: "Poverty and the over-availability of addictive, sugar-rich foods are significant causes of tooth decay. But the Government is unlikely to challenge the profitable position of the major food manufacturers and retailers who benefit at the expense of our children's health - and teeth. Better dental care and education is also needed, but that too is hampered by higher dental charges for adults as the Government has overseen dentistry move into the private sector - and for many in Gloucestershire finding a dentist at all is a serious challenge."
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