Dr Derek Bell 

Public Health South

Public Health South is the health service that responds to population health issues in Otago and Southland - these are the health issues that can potentially affect everyone in the community. Public Health South believes in the abundant scientific evidence that shows fluoridation of drinking water helps to prevent dental decay and that fluoridation has no significant adverse health effects. The people who benefit from fluoridation of drinking water the most are children who otherwise have little voice in community decisions. If dental problems are not a concern for you or your family, give thought to those who are less fortunate and have persistent dental problems that could have been prevented or reduced by the protective effect of fluoride. The dental health of New Zealand children is poor by international standards.

Adding fluoride to drinking water is a simple and safe public health measure that has demonstrated significant health gain to communities all around the world. Sometimes, when communities are asked to decide on fluoridation, people with the loudest opposition are those who believe that there is a conspiracy to harm everyone through mass-medication in the water supply. Nothing is further from the scientific truth - there is no evidence for this. Fluoride is a natural element that is present in water in varying amounts.

Fluoridation is simply increasing the amount of fluoride in the water to levels that, for some lucky communities, occurs naturally. Alternative methods of providing fluoride do exist but if the healthy choice is the easy choice, more people will benefit. Public Health South believes that this is an opportunity for communities to show some collective responsibility for those who are most vulnerable to dental problems.