Hamilton Council’s fluoride removal concerns NZ physicians

Hamilton Council’s decision to remove fluoride concerns New Zealand physicians

13 June, 2013

The Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) urges the Hamilton City Council to seriously reconsider the decision to remove fluoride from their region’s water supply as there is evidence to support the health benefits of water fluoridation.

Fluoridation of water supplies has been overwhelmingly proven to be a safe, effective, equitable and cost effective way to ensure all children and adolescents are exposed to at least one preventive oral health measure.

This decision to remove fluoride will have a significant impact on the health and wellbeing of children and families in the Hamilton region.

According to Dr Roger Tuck, a Whangarei paediatrician, who regularly sees children presenting with poor oral health status, child oral health is intrinsically linked to overall health for children and adolescents.

“Not only will the removal of fluoride result in an increase in the prevalence of dental caries and its associated effects on physical health; it will add to the burdens of inequity and inequality amongst our children and youth, with the greatest impact being on the Māori and Pacific Island population. This will also further impact upon the New Zealand economy and health system.”

According to RACP New Zealand President, Dr John O’Donnell, the RACP encourages Councils who are currently reviewing water fluoridation in their regions to review the robust scientific evidence outlining the public health benefits of water fluoridation when making important decisions that will affect their residents.

“Of concern to the RACP is the emerging pattern whereby decisions are being made to remove fluoride based on poor research with low evidence and the pressured approach of anti-fluoride lobbyists,” Dr O’Donnell said.

“The RACP urges all parties involved in water fluoridation decisions to focus on the benefits of fluoridation and acknowledge the positive effects on the health of children and adolescents, especially those in lower socio-economic regions where access to healthcare is limited.”

In September 2012, the RACP and the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons released a joint position statement ‘Physicians and dentists collaborate on oral health in children and young people’, advocating for water fluoridation.

Please click here to view the February 2013 media release from the RACP showing support for water fluoridation in New Zealand.

About The Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP): The RACP trains, educates and advocates on behalf of more than 14,000 physicians – often referred to as medical specialists – and 6,000 trainees, across Australia and New Zealand. The College represents more than 32 medical specialties including paediatrics & child health, cardiology, general medicine, respiratory medicine, neurology, oncology and public health medicine, occupational & environmental medicine, palliative medicine, sexual health medicine, rehabilitation medicine and addiction medicine. Beyond the drive for medical excellence, the RACP is committed to developing health and social policies which bring vital improvements to the wellbeing of patients. www.racp.edu.au

ENDS

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