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211
Fluoridation of Water Supplies.—In recent years dental decay
has increased especially among the younger age groups and it
has been found that a minute quantity of fluorine assists the
formation of healthy teeth and reduces the incidence of decay.
In Circular 15/65, issued by the Ministry of Health on 3rd
August, 1965, recounts inter alia, the substance of previous
circulars on the fluoridation of water supplies as a preventive
measure in dental caries.
In this latest Circular, the Minister has stated that he considers fluoridation is now an established and well proven public
health measure conferring benefits to dental and, in consequence,
general health, greatly exceeding the cost of its introduction.
Moreover, he is convinced that it is completely safe and he hopes
therefore that all local authorities will now take steps to make
arrangements for the addition of fluoride to public water supplies.
Notwithstanding the overwhelming evidence to the contrary,
the Minister is aware that a minority continues to maintain that
fluoridation may have some harmful effects. He has also stated
that, in the event of legal proceedings either on lack of powers
or on damage to health, he is prepared to give any local health
authority or statutory water undertaking in England or Wales
an indemnity as set out in an appended statement to the Circular.
Water undertakings were informed in the Ministry of Housing and Local Government Circular 37/63 that the full cost of
fluoridation would be reimbursed by the local health authorities.
The Minister of Health considers such authorities will no doubt
agree to meet such costs other than those covered by his direct
indemnity, but including, if requested, the cost of insurance cover
taken out by the water undertaking against liability arising from
the negligence of the water undertaking or its employees or
agents in the course of fluoridating the water supplies.
Prior to the amalgamation of Greenwich and Woolwich, both
Councils supported this measure. The present Council passed
a resolution and so informed the London Boroughs' Committee
that it supported the fluoridation of water supplies as a dental
caries preventive measure, and asked that consideration be given
for an approach to be made to the Metropolitan Water Board
on behalf of all the London Boroughs with a view to its introduction at an early date.