Deirdre Clune (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I recall this matter being debated in 1997 when I was first elected to the Lower House. There have always been concerns about fluoridation. The then Minister, Deputy Martin, set up the forum on fluoridation in 2000. This resulted in the establishment of an expert body to advise the Minister on all aspects of fluoride and its delivery methods as an established health technology. Several Senators have acknowledged this.

The forum's overall conclusions were that water fluoridation had been effective in improving the oral health of the Irish population, especially that of children, and that the best available and most reliable scientific evidence indicated that, at the maximum permitted level of fluoride in drinking water, human health was not adversely affected. We have since established an expert body that continues to meet and advise the Minister. It draws on national and international expertise. This is a satisfactory situation and is how we should operate, that is, set up expert groups and leave them to discuss issues. None of us in this House is a scientist or an engineer. While I was an engineer in a previous existence, I would not claim to be an expert in any area. The group has been set up and will examine reports as information becomes available. This is satisfactory. We should leave it at that.

Reference has been made to an individual who has e-mailed many of us, but I do not know whether his or her report has been published for peer review in the journals. I would not expect the expert body to consider any report or information unless it was satisfactorily reviewed and accepted in the broad scientific community. Until then, we should not publicly quote claims about linkages between health and the ingestion of fluoride or any substance. We have a responsibility to act prudently in this and in all matters.

I am satisfied by our community's oral health and fluoride's impact on dental decay. Senator Norris correctly stated that the consumption of sugary foods caused decay, but fluoride prevents dental decay, particularly in children. Children from certain areas or economic backgrounds are more at risk. We can speak lightly of decay, but children carry tooth decay into adulthood. Repair work and fillings become necessary, teeth are lost, etc. We should not underestimate oral and dental health, as they can have a significant effect on physical health. They are important. It is not just getting a filling. Rather, it is a life-long impact on an individual's oral and dental health. Surveys have consistently shown that, since the introduction of fluoride into drinking water, children in fluoridated areas have considerably lower levels of dental caries.

We have debated this matter and an expert group has been established with cross-field representation in the form of dentists, toxicologists, engineers, environmentalists, public representatives and public health experts. I am regularly in contact with UCC's dental hospital, which is supportive of fluoridation. It sees the results of fluoridation through its surveys. To make a personal claim, I am married to a dentist who is committed to this matter. He has worked with children who have not had the benefit of fluoridation. The impact on them is stark, as is the contrast between fluoridated and non-fluoridated areas in Cork.

I am a supporter of fluoridation and am confident in the medical evidence that shows that fluoridated water has no impact on people's health. It is a positive public policy that we should support and we should be confident that the issue has been debated and that the expertise supports our policy.