Bloomfield to dictate fluoride

The Government is proposing a law change giving director general of health Ashley Bloomfield oversight for all decisions on fluoridating water supplies.

Currently, decisions on fluoridating water supplies sit with individual local councils and mayors have been divided on the issue.

Associate Health Minister Dr Ayesha Verrall yesterday announced the proposed change to the Fluoridation Bill saying it would simplify the decision-making and would allow New Zealand to take a “nationally consistent approach that’s based on evidence”.

“The Government is proposing an amendment to see that decisionmaking sits with the director general of health,” Verrall said.

It comes after about 6500 children under the age of 9 were admitted to hospital for tooth decay and associated infections in 2019.

Verrall said the Fluoridation Bill recognised water fluoridation as a health-related issue.

“Right now only around 2.3 million New Zealanders have access to fluoridated drinking water.

“Community water fluoridation is a proven public health measure that will make a big difference to children’s wellbeing.”

The associate health minister said the current level of fluoride found naturally in New Zealand water supplies was not enough to prevent tooth decay.

“‘Topping up’ fluoride levels allows the well-established health benefits to reach all New Zealanders, especially our children, Ma¯ori and Pacific populations and people in our poorer communities,” the associate minister said.

The bill was introduced into the House in 2016.