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Fluoridation
Fluoridation is the adjustment of the fluoride content of water to one part
fluoride per million parts of 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
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