New Zealand Green Party object to fluoridation

The Green Party says it is appalled the Far North District Council is to fluoridate public water supplies on the basis of a Colmar Brunton poll.The council has accepted an offer by the Ministry of Health to fluoridate public water supplies in Kaitaia and Kaikohe, after a Colmar Brunton poll showed majority support for the move.The council is claiming a public mandate to fluoridate after a phone survey of 600 people.Sue Kedgley, the Green's Health spokeperson, says there is a growing body of evidence overseas that fluoridation is neither safe nor effective.She says the Ministry of Health seems hell bent on fluoridation, yet takes no action on the causes of decay, like soft drink machines in schools. Ms Kedgley says any move to medicate a public water supply should only come after informed debate, and a full referendum, not an opinion poll conducted by phone.However, health authorities have welcomed the decision.The head of dental services for Northland Health, Dr Neil Croucher, says the council and residents should be congratulated for making a good choice.He says the Ministry of Health will track the oral health of Far North children over the two years of the fluoridation trial.© NewsRoom 2006