Dental profession applauds local authorities taking forward water fluoridation

A motion applauding those local authorities taking forward water fluoridation was unanimously approved at last week’s conference.

The vote is an important milestone for the newly formed Community Water Fluoridation network. The network’s role is to make sure that public consultations are informed by scientific evidence and accurate representation of the needs of families in their locality. 

Local Dental Committee members have provided the impetus for the network which is supported by a wide range of dental, medical and health-related organisations. Among them are NHS England, the British Fluoridation Society, the British Dental Association, the British Society of Paediatric Dentistry and the Association of Dental Groups.

Simon Hearnshaw, a dentist who works for Health Education England, and who put forward the motion, said, “To have this kind of unanimous response from dentists highlights just how strongly we all support fluoridation of water and want to see the oral health of our young patients improve.”

Water fluoridation is approved by parliament but, since 2012, local authorities which want to implement the public health measure must first carry out a public consultation.