Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 988: To ask the Minister for Health if he will abandon his water fluoridation policy in view of the recent opinion of the EU's scientific committee on health and environmental risks, which found no obvious advantage to water fluoridation as compared to topical application of fluoride, deemed topical application a more efficient measure of preventing caries than water fluoridation, and found potential adverse effects of water fluoridation particularly in children and in view of the excessive costs involved in water fluoridation. [23988/11]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

e report of the EU Scientific Committee on Health and Environmental Risks (SCHER) was published in June of this year. e SCHER report has not made any findings of negative health or environmental effects concerning fluoridation of water.

SCHER concluded that water fluoridation is effective in reducing levels of dental decay. Its opinion that the topical delivery of fluoride is more efficient than water fluoridation is not accepted by the European Association of Dental Public Health or by the Irish Expert Body on Fluorides and Health, which monitors new and emerging issues on fluoride and its effects on health and related matters.

e SCHER Report also states that a narrow margin exists in children between achieving the beneficial effects of fluoride in reducing dental decay and the potential adverse effect of dental fluorosis. It is true regardless of the source of fluoride, whether from water fluoridation or other sources, such as ingested toothpaste. It should be noted that dental fluorosis is a cosmetic or aesthetic condition which refers to the way teeth look and is generally easy to treat. This is in contrast to the treatment of tooth decay which may on occasion involve the use of general anaesthesia and hospitalisation.

e Irish Expert Body on Fluorides and Health advises that the balance of scientific evidence worldwide confirms that water fluoridation, at the optimal level, does not cause any ill effects and continues to be safe and effective in protecting the oral health of all age groups. ere are no plans to discontinue the policy of fluoridation of public water supplies, on which HSE spent approximately €4.78 million in 2010, and which continues to make an effective contribution to oral health in Ireland.