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Water fluoridation: what does the rest of the world think? Water fluoridation: what does the rest of the world think?
(about 13 hours later)
Australia may have just been through an election campaign, but it’s fair to say that certain communities have been more fired up about water fluoridation – a non-issue at federal level – than anything postulated by Tony Abbott and Kevin Rudd.Australia may have just been through an election campaign, but it’s fair to say that certain communities have been more fired up about water fluoridation – a non-issue at federal level – than anything postulated by Tony Abbott and Kevin Rudd.
The debate over whether to add fluoride to water supplies has flirted with the unhinged, an anti-fluoride protester at a public meeting in Lismore last week ominously telling NSW’s chief medical officer, “I have friends in Syria, do you know of sarin gas?”The debate over whether to add fluoride to water supplies has flirted with the unhinged, an anti-fluoride protester at a public meeting in Lismore last week ominously telling NSW’s chief medical officer, “I have friends in Syria, do you know of sarin gas?”
The NSW opposition has said it has had enough, tabling a motion that would compel local authorities to add fluoride to water, ending what NSW Labor calls the “anti-fluoridation circus”.The NSW opposition has said it has had enough, tabling a motion that would compel local authorities to add fluoride to water, ending what NSW Labor calls the “anti-fluoridation circus”.
Use of fluoride in drinking water to strengthen teeth is strongly backed by the Australian Dental Association, scientific studies and state governments, which have attempted to shoot down scientifically unproven theories that fluoride can cause everything from allergies and arthritis to cancer and bone fractures.Use of fluoride in drinking water to strengthen teeth is strongly backed by the Australian Dental Association, scientific studies and state governments, which have attempted to shoot down scientifically unproven theories that fluoride can cause everything from allergies and arthritis to cancer and bone fractures.
However, the use of fluoride is far from universal, prompting warnings that children in areas without fluoridated water are suffering far higher rates of tooth decay than those who consume the substance.However, the use of fluoride is far from universal, prompting warnings that children in areas without fluoridated water are suffering far higher rates of tooth decay than those who consume the substance.
Water fluoridation was introduced to Australia in the 1960s and every state and territory now provides it to 70% or more of its population. There are discrepancies – for example, 96% of people in NSW are provided fluoridated drinking water, compared with 70% of those in the Northern Territory and 86% in Queensland.Water fluoridation was introduced to Australia in the 1960s and every state and territory now provides it to 70% or more of its population. There are discrepancies – for example, 96% of people in NSW are provided fluoridated drinking water, compared with 70% of those in the Northern Territory and 86% in Queensland.
So how do other countries compare?So how do other countries compare?
USAUSA
Grand Rapids in Michigan became the first city in the world to have fluoridated drinking water in 1945. Now, more than 204m people in the US have access to fluoridated drinking water – roughly two thirds of the population.Grand Rapids in Michigan became the first city in the world to have fluoridated drinking water in 1945. Now, more than 204m people in the US have access to fluoridated drinking water – roughly two thirds of the population.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention proposes that 80% of Americans should have fluoridated water by 2020, hailing it as “safe, effective and cost saving”.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention proposes that 80% of Americans should have fluoridated water by 2020, hailing it as “safe, effective and cost saving”.
CanadaCanada
Canada has been held up by anti-fluoride campaigners as a standard bearer for a fluoride backlash. Rates of water fluoridation vary wildly between provinces – about three quarters of the population in Ontario, compared with just 4% in British Columbia – but several high profile decisions have bolstered the anti-fluoride cause.Canada has been held up by anti-fluoride campaigners as a standard bearer for a fluoride backlash. Rates of water fluoridation vary wildly between provinces – about three quarters of the population in Ontario, compared with just 4% in British Columbia – but several high profile decisions have bolstered the anti-fluoride cause.
About 30 Canadian municipalities have banned fluoride in recent years, most notably the region of Waterloo in 2010, followed by Calgary in 2011.About 30 Canadian municipalities have banned fluoride in recent years, most notably the region of Waterloo in 2010, followed by Calgary in 2011.
New ZealandNew Zealand
The New Zealand government says it “strongly” recommends the adoption of water fluoridation. About half of the population has access to fluoridated water. However, Christchurch’s mayor has ruled out adding the substance to the city’s “perfect” water and Hamilton voted to remove fluoride in June.The New Zealand government says it “strongly” recommends the adoption of water fluoridation. About half of the population has access to fluoridated water. However, Christchurch’s mayor has ruled out adding the substance to the city’s “perfect” water and Hamilton voted to remove fluoride in June.
UK and IrelandUK and Ireland
Just 10% of the UK’s population – or about 6m people – get either naturally fluoridated water or artificially added fluoride.Just 10% of the UK’s population – or about 6m people – get either naturally fluoridated water or artificially added fluoride.
Like other countries, there are regional variances – West Midlands provides fluoridated water to 84% of the population, compared with just 2.6% in Yorkshire.Like other countries, there are regional variances – West Midlands provides fluoridated water to 84% of the population, compared with just 2.6% in Yorkshire.
Meanwhile, Ireland is one of the more enthusiastic adopters of water fluoride, with nearly three quarters of the population having access to fluoridated water, although it appears the tide is turning, political party Sinn Fein recently backing a bill that would introduce a prison term of up to five years for adding fluoride to the water.Meanwhile, Ireland is one of the more enthusiastic adopters of water fluoride, with nearly three quarters of the population having access to fluoridated water, although it appears the tide is turning, political party Sinn Fein recently backing a bill that would introduce a prison term of up to five years for adding fluoride to the water.
Continental EuropeContinental Europe
Just four European Union countries back fluoride on a national scale, and nations such as Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden have discontinued water fluoridation.Just four European Union countries back fluoride on a national scale, and nations such as Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden have discontinued water fluoridation.
Anti-fluoride activists claim the example of continental Europe shows the widespread unease over the health impact of fluoride, although in some cases governments have stopped adding it due to the adoption of other methods to improve dental health.Anti-fluoride activists claim the example of continental Europe shows the widespread unease over the health impact of fluoride, although in some cases governments have stopped adding it due to the adoption of other methods to improve dental health.
There are pockets of fluoride uptake – 11% of the Spanish population, for example. But, significantly, Germany halted its water fluoridation in the 1970s and France never started.There are pockets of fluoride uptake – 11% of the Spanish population, for example. But, significantly, Germany halted its water fluoridation in the 1970s and France never started.
However, proponents state that no country has banned the practice outright and point to the fact that many European nations add fluoride to salt.However, proponents state that no country has banned the practice outright and point to the fact that many European nations add fluoride to salt.
BrazilBrazil
Water fluoridation has been taking place in Brazil since the 1950s, and the government has recently ramped up efforts to provide fluoridated water to as many cities as possible.Water fluoridation has been taking place in Brazil since the 1950s, and the government has recently ramped up efforts to provide fluoridated water to as many cities as possible.
About two thirds of Brazilian cities now have fluoridated water, and studies show that results have generally been positive.About two thirds of Brazilian cities now have fluoridated water, and studies show that results have generally been positive.
ChinaChina
China embarked upon a pursuit of water fluoridation for about 20 years before backing away entirely from it in the 1980s. Parts of the country have high levels of naturally occurring fluoride, which one study has linked to developmental difficulties in children.China embarked upon a pursuit of water fluoridation for about 20 years before backing away entirely from it in the 1980s. Parts of the country have high levels of naturally occurring fluoride, which one study has linked to developmental difficulties in children.
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