Councillors clash over fluoridation options

The ghosts of thalidomide and Nazi Germany's gas chambers were evoked when Dunedin city councillors clashed over fluoridated water supplies yesterday.

The chemical, which is mixed with water to improve dental health, is added to reservoirs supplying 85% of the city's reticulated water.

But there were howls of outrage yesterday when the council's infrastructure services committee discussed extending fluoride use to Waikouaiti, Mosgiel, Outram, West Taieri and Rocklands.

A report by water production manager Gerard McCombie recommended reconfirming the city's existing water fluoridation policy, which in principle includes extending fluoridation to areas not already receiving treated water.

But the same report also recommended holding local referendums before adding fluoride in areas not receiving treated water.

Cr Michael Guest, a staunch supporter of fluoridation, attacked the idea yesterday, arguing fluoridation was really about "responsible leadership".

The scientific evidence supporting it was "heavy and compelling", and those who opposed the use were "akin to quacks and snake oil merchants", he said.

The community should be consulted but any talk of city-wide or local referendums should be shelved, he said.

"It's not about running off to referendums when the going gets tough."

Cr Fliss Butcher disagreed, arguing the issue was about "personal choice" and the ability to reject "mass medication" by "men in white coats".

"I'm sure you will remember thalidomide," she said.

"Sometimes men in white coats get it wrong. That's what Hitler used it for in the gas camps and the people that pulled the levers said they were following orders."

Cr Neil Collins said councillors needed to make a "gutsy decision" to support fluoridation for the benefit of future generations' oral health.

His call to reject Cr Butcher's "anti-fluoridation diatribe" offended her , but she was not successful in demanding an apology.

Yesterday's clashes followed a briefing for councillors by Public Health South officials and representatives of the anti-fluoride Fluoride Action Network last month.

Both viewpoints were discussed in yesterday's report, but Mr McCombie warned council staff were not qualified to judge the relative merits.

Councillors would have to make a "fundamental decision" about which side's argument was "the most credible", he said.

The Ministry of Health "quite firmly" supported fluoridation to improve oral health, and Public Health South officials argued the "considerable" health benefits outweighed the "minimal risk of harm from side effects".

However, Fluoride Action Network argued benefits were "at best dubious" and the risk of side effects "considerable", Mr McCombie said.

Cr Andrew Noone, who chaired yesterday's committee meeting, said more public input was needed.

Councillors eventually voted against reconfirming the council's existing policy, or holding local or city-wide referendums.

Instead, fluoridation will continue until the next round of annual plan and long-term council community plan (LTCCP) hearings, which will allow for public input before a final decision to extend reticulation is made.

Yesterday's decisions will also be discussed at the next council meeting on November 3.

 

> Fluoride facts:

• Fluoride is a naturally-occurring chemical found in
fresh and salt water, plants, foods, dental enamel and bones, and
plants.

• Adding fluoride to drinking water, at between 0.7 and 1 part per million, reduces tooth decay in natural teeth.

• Tooth decay is 30-40% lower in areas with optimal fluoride levels in water, New Zealand research shows.

Source: Ministry of Health