A commitment by the Green Party spokesman on health John Gormley to end fluoridation of public water supplies if the party enters government should concern voters. The health benefits arising from properly regulated fluoridation are well established.
The drawbacks, apart from tooth discoloration arising from an excessive intake of the mineral, are matters of contention. In such circumstances any change in public health policy should require convincing new evidence.
Anyone growing up in Ireland of the 1960s will remember just how bad people's teeth were. General poverty and inadequate oral hygiene meant few people retained a full set of teeth into middle age. Living with dentures and toothache was part of growing old. Then tap water was fluoridated. Since then, the situation has improved dramatically. The rate of tooth decay among five-year-olds has dropped from being 10 per cent higher than in Northern Ireland to less than half of the North's figure today. Tap water in the North is not fluoridated.
As a public health initiative, fluoridation was a major success. But, as time went on, concerns were expressed about possible side effects because fluoride in high doses can be hazardous. Resistance also grew because mandatory water fluoridation removed the element of choice from consumers. As a consequence, a Fluoridation Forum was established by the Government to review all risks and benefits and, five years ago, it advised the practice should continue because of the benefits it conferred.
Some changes were proposed. The level of fluoridation in tap water was reduced. And the Department of Health was urged to conduct public information programmes to minimise an excessive uptake of the mineral by small children through bottle-feeding or the use of fluoridated toothpaste. Fluorosis, involving the discoloration of teeth, was found to be the main disadvantage.
At a time when the Irish Dental Association is balloting its members on whether to withdraw from a free dental scheme for medical cardholders, the fluoridation issue is an unhelpful distraction. Treatment for medical cardholders is so poor that they can wait for months to have a denture fitted. And orthodontic care for children can take years. As in the health services generally, those who can pay for dental treatment receive priority treatment.
Individuals who worry about excessive fluoridation can take steps to minimise their intake of the mineral, without denying its benefits to the most vulnerable sections of society. At this stage, political parties should concentrate on improving access to good quality dental and medical care rather than be diverted by this loony issue.