Dr. Jacinta McLoughlin:

The Deputy is reflecting concerns that have received much airing in the media.

The use of fluoride in the prevention of dental decay is one of the most researched areas in dentistry. The search engine for scientific publications shows huge volumes of research on it. The United States is one of the key countries. Over 300 million people worldwide receive fluoridated water. In the United States there is quite an amount of naturally occurring fluoride in water supplies. In this country we reduced the level in the water supply in 2007 because on the basis of research carried out here it was considered that a reduced level would perhaps be better. The range now is 0.6 to 0.8. The maximum allowed in EU drinking water regulations is 1.5. There is a very cautious approach being taken here. In the United States in the past there was a maximum allowable concentration of four parts per million, which is considerably higher than the EU figure. This is something that has been shown worldwide to be effective because everybody gets it. People do not have to make any effort to get it, whereas in a programme which involves the application of a topical fluoride in some form or a varnish, or however it is put onto teeth, they have to come into the surgery. Water fluoridation occurs for everybody. That is why it is so beneficial. It has had a huge beneficial impact on oral health in this country, not just for children but also for adults. A whole generation has retained natural teeth, something that perhaps would not have happened in the past without water fluoridation. It remains a cornerstone of policy because it is a key aspect of preventing one of the main dental diseases that afflicts people. People do not look forward to going to the dentist, which is understandable. The problem is claims can be made, but in the scientific world a very careful evaluation is made before talking about cause and effect. People do not do this lightly. They want to have lots of evidence to show a positive or negative effect. It is a really important part of policy and will remain so.