Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)
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To ask the Minister for Health if a cost benefit analysis has been undertaken with regard to the fluoridation of water, and in the context of the banning of this practise in other countries, the reason it is continuing here [54893/12]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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Water fluoridation is one of the most widely studied public health policy initiatives in the world. Studies indicate that the health benefits of water fluoridation outweigh its costs. To date there has been a significant reduction in the proportions of decayed, missing and filled teeth of people living in areas supplied by fluoridated drinking water in Ireland when compared to those in non-fluoridated areas. The cost of fluoridation was €3.86 million in 2011. While my Department has not conducted a cost-benefit analysis on this policy, the Expert Body on Fluorides and Health, which monitors new and emerging issues on fluoride and its effects on health, advises that water fluoridation is the safest and most cost effective method of protecting the oral health of the population.

Other countries which have water fluoridation schemes include the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Spain, Australia and New Zealand. Water fluoridation is less common in Europe, where fluoridated salt is often available as an alternative, although some populations are supplied with naturally fluoridated public water.