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75
has been found that a minute quantity of fluorine assists the
formation of healthy teeth and reduces the incidence of decay.
Results of a five-year study, particulars of which were given
in my previous report, establish the effectiveness of artificial
fluoridation of water supplies as a preventive measure against
dental decay.
Authoritatively, it is suggested that fluoridation of public water
supplies to the level of one p.p.m. of fluorine although not altering
the colour, taste or smell of the water, would be sufficient to reduce
the incidence of dental decay. This suggestion has raised a storm
of controversy, especially on the grounds of "mass medication" but
when one considers that water supplies in towns like Colchester,
Slough and South Shields already contain fluorine in excess of
this amount and that fluorine in chemical combination as fluoride
is found as a trace element in many foods such as vegetables, meat,
cereals, fruit, fish and tea etc., this objection cannot really be
sustained. Again, in some quarters fluoridation has been opposed
on grounds of expense, but it has been estimated that a reduction
of one-fifth in existing dental decay would more than justify the
cost.
Only one survey of public opinion concerning the question
of fluoridation has been carried out in this country (that at
Watford), whereas there have been several in the U.S.A. and it
is of some moment to find that the results in both countries follow
a similar pattern.
It would appear that, in these surveys, people with reasonable
education and who are concerned with the care of children would,
with a certain element of caution, favour fluoridation. However,
because of the size of the surveys, perhaps the findings should
only be considered tentative and their validity a little suspect.
It is of interest to note that, after a period of 10 years controversy, it has now been agreed to add fluoride to New York's
City's water supplies thus augmenting the 1,200 cities and 4,000
smaller communities in the U.S.A. and Canada who are already
doing just this.
In Circular 28/62, the Minister of Health indicated that,
under Section 28 of the National Health Service Act, 1946, he
was ready to approve arrangements made by Councils with water
undertakers for the addition of fluoride to water supplies which
were deficient in it naturally.
Subsequently, the Metropolitan Boroughs' Standing Joint
Committee with the support of all its 29 members, agreed to
approach the Metropolitan Water Board concerning the introduction of fluoride into London's water supply. The Board