FLUORIDATION DECISION WILL LEAVE BAD TASTE IN THE MOUTHS OF LOCAL PEOPLE - GIDLEY

12.00.00am GMT Thu 26th Feb 2009

Commenting on the news that members of South Central Strategic Health Authority's board have voted to fluoridate south west Hampshire's tap water, Shadow Public Health Minister for the Liberal Democrats and county MP Sandra Gidley, said:

"The board members have got this completely wrong and have chosen to ride roughshod over the overwhelming opinion of the public.

"Whilst there is a lot of research on the subject of water fluoridation, much of it like the Board's judgement, is substandard.

"The cost of fluoridation will be huge. It would be far cheaper and more effective to provide toothpaste and brushes to those who can't afford it rather than introducing a mass medication programme.

"This decision will do little or nothing for oral health and, in the long term, will only leave a bad taste in the mouths of local people."

ENDS