Written answers

Tuesday, 20 November 2007

Department of Health and Children

Water Fluoridation

8:00 pm

Photo of Joanna TuffyJoanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 274: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she remains concerned that the fluoridation of water may not be effective in combating dental problems, that fluoride ingestion may pose a threat to human health; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28446/07]

Photo of Joanna TuffyJoanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 275: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she remains concerned that the fluoridation of water may not be effective in combating dental problems, that fluoride ingestion may pose a threat to human health and that fluoridation of water also poses a threat to the environment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28693/07]

Photo of Mary HarneyMary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 274 and 275 together.

A Forum on Fluoridation was established to review the fluoridation of public water supplies in Ireland. The Report of the Forum, published in 2002, concluded that water fluoridation has been very effective in improving the oral health of the Irish population, especially of children, but also of adults and the elderly. The Forum recommended that the fluoridation of piped public water supplies should continue as a public health measure.

The effectiveness of water fluoridation in preventing dental decay continues to be endorsed by a comprehensive range of international bodies including the World Health Organization, the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, the United States Public Health Service and the United States Surgeon General, the FDI World Dental Federation and the International Association for Dental Research. In addition, these bodies are also satisfied that ingestion of fluoride at optimal levels does not pose a threat to human health.

The Forum on Fluoridation recommended that an Expert Body be established. The Irish Expert Body on Fluorides and Health was set up in 2004 to oversee the implementation of the recommendations of the Forum; to advise the Minister and evaluate ongoing research — including new emerging issues — on all aspects of fluoride and its delivery methods as an established health technology and as required and report to the Minister on matters of concern at her request or on its own initiative. More details on the Expert Body are available on their website www.fluoridesandhealth.ie.

Finally, the new Programme for Government contains a commitment to carry out a national study of total fluoride intake in the population and work on this study is underway.

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