Fizzy Drinks And Toothbrushes

Media release
Issued on behalf of Paul Malpass, candidate for the Waikato District Health Board

September 16, 2010 - for immediate use

Fizzy Drinks And Toothbrushes

Free toothbrushes should be compulsory with large bottles of fizzy drink
A free toothbrush and toothpaste with every two litre bottle of fizzy drink – that’s the novel suggestion from Waikato District Health Board candidate Paul Malpass to address the ongoing issue of tooth decay in New Zealand children.

He was commenting on the news this week from Health Minister Tony Ryall that more five and 12-year-old Kiwi children are now free of tooth decay compared to 2007.

“That’s a good achievement, but wouldn’t it be great if they didn’t need to access public dental care in the first place!”

There are many districts in the Waikato where children have appalling dental health, particularly in the poor communities where ‘take-aways’ and sugary drinks are a way of life, he said.

“The scientific research and evidence into dental caries is well known. We know the answers! Strong persistent long term education is the key. In my grandmother’s day ‘an apple a day kept the doctor away’. When I was a boy we had free milk.”

He said he found it interesting that two litres of sugary juice is cheaper than a two litre container of milk in a country that produces a lot of milk!

“We were concerned about the quality of drinking water 150 years ago. Now we have progressed to excellent drinking water but we have new sugary drinks instead!

“My answer - a free give away toothbrush and/or fluoride toothpaste [with simple instructions] with each two litre bottle of soft sugary drink - and cheaper milk for children. These dental health strategies would be much cheaper,” he said.

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