Dr. Andrew Bolas:

There is certainly a lot of media interest in it at the moment. One must really look at the scientific evidence available. The level at which we fluoridate our water supply is perfectly safe. None of the studies identify any of the diseases many of the campaigners identify as being the reality. Why is it so good? As a dentist, I would say the difference it makes to the prevention of cavities in teeth is huge. I qualified in Belfast and worked in the hospital for sick children there. It is a non-fluoridated area and routinely, we would have had 26 children on a theatre list to get teeth out. That was on a weekly basis. In Sligo, where I now work - a fluoridated area - we see six children per week to get teeth out. The benefits from the point of view of dental health are marked. A recent study showed that 15 year olds in County Donegal had 70% fewer cavities than 15 year olds in County Derry, just across the Border.