Sir, - In his article, "Good teeth only taken for granted this century" (January 4th), Dr William Reville informs us that "research in the 1940s showed that applying sodium fluoride to teeth greatly reduced dental decay. Experiments showed that adding fluoride to drinking water at a concentration of one part per million can reduce dental decay by over 65 per cent. Public drinking water in a concentration of one part per million can reduce dental decay by over 65 per cent. Public drinking water in Ireland has been fluoridated since 1964."
Dr Reville leaves your readers with the impression that good teeth nowadays can be attributed largely to the fluoridation of our drinking water, which is therefore presumably desirable. He says nothing about the fluoridation controversy which has been raging for many years across the globe.
It was reassuring, then, to read Kevin O'Sullivan's piece (The Irish Times, January 5th) about the research by a transition year team from Loreto College, St Stephen's Green, Dublin. He tells us that Sarah Jane Campbell (15) and Cairin Conway (15) confirmed that the chemical fluorine, in the form of fluoride in water, may have harmful effects, and they urge a re-examination of the merits of adding fluorine to public drinking water. An experiment in growing tulips in distilled water, and in water containing fluoride, showed the flower dying the latter sample! "This trend, which was found in tulip production in Holland, was a significant factor in the withdrawal of public water fluoridation there, according to Sarah Jane." The student project also highlighted the possibility of uneven distribution of fluoride in public water supplies and, according to Sarah Jane, a lack of definitive indication that householders are getting it at the right level.
Given the concern that fluoride may be contributing to arthritis, rheumatism, migraine and brittle/ mottled teeth, and their findings disputing the effectiveness of water filtration and distribution, these young students concluded that the use of the technique should be reconsidered.
As a senior lecturer in biochemistry and director of microscopy at UCC, perhaps Dr Reville might care to expound on the timely and important contribution of these young scientists? - Yours, etc., Myles Crowe,
Old Brewery Lane, Clonakilty, Co Cork.