Derek Nolan (Galway West, Labour)
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201. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the working group that was to be established to look at the fluoridation of our water; the specific timeline for progress on this issue; when he expects to have recommendations from the working group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12275/14]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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There is no specific working group looking at water fluoridation issues at present. The Department of Health keeps the policy of water fluoridation under constant review. As part of this ongoing work, a review of evidence on the impact of water fluoridation at its current level on the health of the population and on the environment is being conducted by the Health Research Board on behalf of the Department. This review is due to commence in April 2014 and will be completed by December 2014.

The Department is also collaborating in a University College Cork-led research project, "Fluoride and Caring for Children's Teeth" (FACCT). The study will consider the impact of changes on the oral health of children, following policy decisions relating to toothpaste use by infants and young children made in 2002 and the reduction in the level of fluoridation in drinking water introduced in 2007. In addition, a study on general and oral health findings in adults linked to the duration of exposure to fluoridated water as part of the Irish Longitudinal Study on Aging (TILDA) is expected to commence shortly.