Plans to add fluoride to water
Tooth decay is largely preventable but remains a serious public health problem in the North East
Gill O’Neil
RESIDENTS in Northumberland have been told that water fluoridation is a safe public health measure ahead of a possible expansion in the region.
The Government put plans to roll out the measures across the North East in March. However, a number of residents opposed to the proposals attended a meeting of Northumberland County Council’s Health and Wellbeing scrutiny committee last week.
According to the NHS, fluoride is a “naturally occurring mineral” found in varying amounts across the UK. In some areas, the substance is added to the water supply to help prevent tooth decay.
Speaking at the meeting, the council’s director of public health Gill O’Neil insisted that the process was safe.
She said: “This would be an expansion for us. We have had a number of areas fluoridated dating back to 1968 and we know the difference in our children’s oral health. Tooth decay is largely preventable but remains a serious public health problem in the North East. Tooth decay causes significant pain, discomfort and distress.
“It is the leading cause of hospital admission in children aged five to nine. Water fluoridation is an effective and safe public health measure.
“The safety of water fluoridation has been widely monitored and researched. There is no convincing evidence of harm.
“Many areas across the country already have fluoride in water and it is naturally occurring as close as Hartlepool. There are much better levels of oral health in children despite similar levels of deprivation.
“It will reduce health inequalities and it is a cost-effective public heath initiative that will reap its rewards in years to come.”
Some areas of Northumberland already have artificially fluoridated water. In the east and north of the county, fluoridated communities include Alnwick, Alnmouth, Howick, Embleton, High Newton by the Sea, and Seahouses. In the west of the county, Haltwhistle, Henshaw, Haydon Bridge, Corbridge, Heddon on the Wall and Prudhoe all have fluoridation schemes. These schemes were initiated in 1968. The expansion would include areas such as Bedlington, Blyth and Ashington as well as Rothbury and Morpeth.
Cabinet member for tackling inequalities Coun Veronica Jones backed the public health boss’s assessment of the proposed scheme’s safety.
She added: “Tooth decay is largely preventable and causes significant pain, discomfort and distress, particularly to children. It is the leading cause of hospital admissions in young children.
“Water fluoridation is a safe, effective public health measure.”
The Department for Health is currently consulting on whether to expand the scheme, with residents and councillors encouraged to make their views known. Government data found that, in 2023, 16% of Year Six children in the North East suffered from tooth decay, compared to just 12% in the South West.
A 2022 study showed five-yearolds in areas with fluoridated water in England were less likely to experience tooth decay compared to areas without, and are less likely to be admitted to hospital to have teeth removed. The NHS say that while there are concerns fluoride may be linked “to a variety of health conditions”, reviews have found “no convincing evidence to support these concerns”.
Fluoride levels in water are carefully monitored by the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) and adjusted if necessary.
However, Coun Georgina Hill was unsure about the proposals.
She said: “It’s always difficult with something like this as someone who is not a scientist or an expert, but is someone that is logical and has studied history, including the history of popular medical opinion which has proven to be wrong.
“I haven’t got a conclusion, there’s a pro and an anti argument, but I certainly couldn’t be confident in the premises you seem to be coming from that it is automatically a good thing. It is medication without consent.”
The Government say there are some 400 million people in 25 countries currently served by water fluoridation schemes, with an additional 50 million worldwide consuming water with naturally occurring fluoride.
When leaving the meeting, one member of the public claimed that “medicating water is unlawful”. Chairman Coun Barry Flux asked the group to either leave or watch the meeting without disrupting it.
■ Anyone wishing to respond to the consultation can do so on the Government’s website.