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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| Decision due on fluoride in water | Decision due on fluoride in water |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Health bosses in Southampton who are to decide if fluoride should be added to tap water have been met by protesters. | |
| The idea has proved controversial with a public consultation attracting more than 10,000 responses. | The idea has proved controversial with a public consultation attracting more than 10,000 responses. |
| The city council is in favour but Hampshire County Council is against the plan, which is designed to cut tooth decay and will affect 200,000 people. | |
| The South Central Strategic Health Authority (SCSHA) will make a decision on Thursday. | |
| The decision follows a three month consultation and it will be the first of its kind since the law changed to allow health trusts - rather than water companies - to request an increase in fluoridation. | |
| Southampton City Primary Care Trust (PCT) wants to increase levels of fluoride from 0.08 part to 1 part per million. | Southampton City Primary Care Trust (PCT) wants to increase levels of fluoride from 0.08 part to 1 part per million. |
| More research needed | More research needed |
| It said more than 40% of children in the area were suffering from tooth decay and the increase was desperately needed. | It said more than 40% of children in the area were suffering from tooth decay and the increase was desperately needed. |
| More than 520 children in the city needed a general anaesthetic to have a total of 2,900 teeth extracted in 2007, the trust said. | More than 520 children in the city needed a general anaesthetic to have a total of 2,900 teeth extracted in 2007, the trust said. |
| The SCSHA said the problem of tooth decay among children and adults in Southampton was worse than the national average across England, despite a number of public health measures that have already been adopted in the city. | The SCSHA said the problem of tooth decay among children and adults in Southampton was worse than the national average across England, despite a number of public health measures that have already been adopted in the city. |
| But county councillors have concluded that more research and reassurances were needed before Southampton City PCT takes further steps to implement the plan. | But county councillors have concluded that more research and reassurances were needed before Southampton City PCT takes further steps to implement the plan. |
| Opponents claim fluoride has negative effects on the body. | Opponents claim fluoride has negative effects on the body. |
| John Spottiswoode, chairman of Hampshire Against Fluoridation, said: "We are aware that some members of the SCSHA board and others still seem to be pushing hard for water fluoridation despite the weight of scientific evidence against it and a clear vote against fluoridation by those who would be affected in the Southampton area. | John Spottiswoode, chairman of Hampshire Against Fluoridation, said: "We are aware that some members of the SCSHA board and others still seem to be pushing hard for water fluoridation despite the weight of scientific evidence against it and a clear vote against fluoridation by those who would be affected in the Southampton area. |
| "They seem to be simply following political orders to fluoridate no matter what. | "They seem to be simply following political orders to fluoridate no matter what. |
| "To quote Albert Einstein: 'Never do anything against conscience, even if the state demands it'." | "To quote Albert Einstein: 'Never do anything against conscience, even if the state demands it'." |