Fluoride must remain a personal choice

Solved! The answer to the big question “Fluoride: Who decides?” (News, March 23) is written large on the front page of the travel supplement. There it is: “When in doubt, RETREAT”.

You told readers what local mayors think of Labour’s proposal to give the Director-general of Health powers to enforce fluoridation but I was more interested in the remark by dentist, Adam Durning, who alerts us to the environmental aspect of such a measure.

Equally interesting is the support for the proposed legislation by Ian Mckelvie, MP for Rangitikei.

Seems he has forgotten one of his main National Party tenets: Personal freedom and choice. Could someone please remind him?

The aspect of personal choice must lead public discussion on this topic.

[Abridged]

HEATHER MARION SMITH

Gonville

Let us decide

We are writing to express our concern on the proposed law change to the Fluoridation Act (2016) in which the decision to fluoridate water supplies will be taken out of the local council’s jurisdiction and placed solely in the hands of the Director-general of Health.

Once again, we are finding that a personal choice is being taken from us - a choice which has been vigorously argued about in the past and has been opposed in many cities and towns.

To state the alarming fact of 6500 children under 9 years of age needing assistance from the local hospitals in 2019 is dramatising the issue without reporting on the diets of the children and what healthy foods they have access to.

Thought also needs to be given to assistance with dental care.

This dental fact is appalling but needs to be addressed with assistance to better nutrition.

Using fluoride should individual choice.

It would be more prudent for the government to provide fluoride tablets to the parents of children who want to use them and assist their growth as they are with free fruit in schools and free lunches.

Is there a political party that has a comment to make on this issue?

There just has to be a better way of solving this issue without forcing be an a law change promoting this mass medication of the nation.

ROD AND GINNY EMMETT Gonville

Reunion

Whanganui hosted a reunion of the 43A draft of Dental Nurses.

They travelled from all parts of New Zealand but, unfortunately, those now residing in Australia could not join us due to Covid restrictions.

The reunion also coincided with the 100th anniversary of the inception of Dental Nurse training in New Zealand.

A highlight of the weekend was a trip up-river to Upokongaro on the Wairua.

Sam always gives a clear, knowledgeable and interesting commentary on our river’s history.

Our platter luncheon at Behind the Door on 4 was out of this world.

The selection included fancy sandwiches, open and club, savouries, mini sweet delights and a finishing platter of seasonal fresh fruits. It was presented beautifully and our group, many of whom have travelled extensively, said it was world class.

We highly recommend this new

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