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Fluoridation
Fluoridation is the adjustment of the fluoride content of water to one part fluoride
per million parts water. This is judged to be the most effective concentration for the
prevention of tooth decay.
No public health measure has had as much intense study devoted to it over the past
50 years. In June 1969 the World Health Organisation adopted a resolution calling for the
implementation of water fluoridation throughout the world. This resolution was passed
unanimously by member states of all shades of political opinion, having been sponsored
by 37 countries including the United Kingdom which was responsible for putting the
proposal before the assembly. It followed an extensive and prolonged world wide
investigation into the safety of fluoridation and the most careful examinations have failed
to discover any injury to health.
The most important development in this country during 1969 was the publication
of the Government report on the Studies and Results of 11 years of fluoridation. This
had been carried out in four areas of the country and the results showed that the
adjustment of fluoride in the public water supply to the approved proportion had a
substantial effect in reducing dental decay among children, and was also of lasting benefit
to their permanent teeth. It confirmed yet again that fluoridation was completely safe.
The results of this survey were studied by specialists both medical and dental and their
conclusions were unanimous and were summed up in the following words. "Fluoridation
is entirely effective and completely safe".
The fluoride content of London water is approximately 0.3 parts per million. The
proposal to fluoridate the water supply would mean that this level would be adjusted
from 0.3 to 1.0 parts per million. The effect of this would be greatly to reduce the
amount of new dental disease seen in school children and young children under five. The
saving in expenditure and time from a proposal of this nature would in the long term be
considerable.
Fluoride, it must be emphasised, is a natural substance and is present in nearly all
food and water. The proposal which advocates of fluoridation are making, is not to add a
new ingredient to the water supply but merely to increase the proportion of something
which is already present. No other single action would be of greater benefit to children's
dental health. Studies have shown also that fluoridated water may be of benefit to older
persons even those who no longer have dental conditions to consider as fluoride has been
shown to strengthen their bones.
The Council in 1966 expressed its unqualified support for the proposal to
fluoridate the water supply. The fact that no progress has been possible in London is due
to the lack of unanimity among all London Boroughs which prevents the Water Authority
from acting on the decision of the majority. It is to be hoped that in the near future
either locally or nationally it may be possible that the implementation of this most
desirable and effective public health measure will be brought about.
Loan of Equipment
Patients being nursed at home were able to obtain nursing equipment on loan free
of charge either from the Council direct or from the British Red Cross Society acting as
an agent for the Council.
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