Call for consistent national approach on water fluoridation

Six national health bodies have come together to promote the benefits of water fluoridation and to oppose the recent decision of Queensland and some other State Governments to permit municipal councils to decide whether or not to add fluoride to their water supplies. And the National Authority for Comprehensive Aboriginal Primary Health wants fluoride added to the water supplies of all Aboriginal communities.

The health organisations have urged the adoption of a consistent national approach on water fluoridation and oral health, to ensure the successful achievement of health promotion and public health goals.

The bodies are the Public Health Association of Australia, the Australian Dental Association Inc., the Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association, the Australian Council of Social Service, the National Rural Health Alliance and the Australian Health Care Reform Alliance.

They see the decision of some councils to discontinue water fluoridation as a failure to protect the public’s oral health, and the cost will be paid by the individual and the taxpayer.

The National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation supported the action. In a submission to the Federal Government, NACCHO called for the fluoridation of all town, city and Aboriginal community water supplies that do not naturally contain a level of fluoride sufficient to prevent dental caries, and immediate fluoridation where this has ceased.