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Water fluoridation edges closer
14th Feb 2007
Plans to fluoridate the water supply in Bolton have received a boost this week. Local health bosses are preparing to sign up to become members of the North-west Fluoridation Evaluation Group, which will decide whether to launch a public forum into plans to fluoridate Bolton's water. Jan Hutchinson, director of public health at Bolton PCT, said: ‘This is all part of the process. We won't be debating the rights and wrongs of fluoridation, but what would the costs be and what changes would be needed to water treatment plants. ‘We're keen for a decision to be made because we'd like a public consultation and to resolve this issue.’ The news comes as a major breakthrough for the area after a recent study claimed children in Bolton have some of the worst dental problems in the country. Chris Brooks, leading NHS dentist and member of the Bolton Dental Society, said: ‘We're sure, from the evidence in the West Midlands and other areas that have added fluoride, that there would be a significant reduction in tooth decay among children. We would support any move to promote its use in Bolton.’ But Bolton North-east MP David Crausby has called for a referendum of the issue. He said: ‘I'm only interested in a real consultation and that needs to be a referendum, where everyone is asked rather than a select group of people. ‘I'm concerned about the principle that the public has the right to decide what they consume and regardless of whether fluoride is good for you, it's clearly mass medication and shouldn't be forced on people.’
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