Forget Fluoride - Government Policy Is Damaging Teeth

The debate about putting fluoride in tap water is rampaging again.

The idea of the government being able to put anything in our water supply rather leaves me cold. There is however plenty of evidence that dental care is worse now than it has been for some years, indeed many people now struggle to find an NHS dentist, and when they do find one have to stick with it, whether they receive good service or not.

An example of how services are deteriorating comes from north London. One of the major dentists still taking NHS patients (I won't say the name of the surgery to protect my informant) has now moved to stop the Hygienist seeing NHS patients. This means that patients on, for example Job Seekers Allowance can see a dentist for a check-up, can even have a filling for free, but cannot receive the sort of preventative treatment from a Hygienist that can prevent tooth decay - unless they spend £50. Needless to say most will not.

This sort of penny wise, pound foolish approach characterises new Labour. We should be wary about getting dragged into theoretical debates about fluoridation, and taking our eye off the ball when it comes to the other problems affecting dental health in the UK.

Comments

[nyscof]

Fluoridation is ineffective at reducing tooth decay, harmful to health and a waste of money.

for more info
fluoridation 101
http://www.orgsites.com/ny/nyscof

http://www.FluorideAction.Net