Page 71 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 12 February 1991
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As my colleagues have mentioned before me, it is very difficult to obtain fluoride-free toothpaste. When it is available it usually costs more than fluoridated toothpaste, which often puts it out of the reach of those people who are financially disadvantaged. It has been said that if this Assembly accepts the recommendation of the committee to reduce the level of fluoride in the ACT water supply to 0.5 parts per million there could be a deterioration in dental health which could be as low as one per cent or as high as 25 per cent. However, I believe that, with a high quality community dental service, especially targeting young children who benefit the most from fluoride, and extensive dental health promotion, there should not be any increase in dental caries or a deterioration in dental health.
With respect to research, there is very little evidence or information on the effects, if any, of a reduced level of fluoride. Due to the lack of Australian data the committee, throughout the entire report, had to rely heavily on overseas research. May I add that much of that research is controversial, especially concerning the methodology and the validity of the findings on the efficacy and safety of fluoride.
As the committee has recommended, not only would a study benefit the ACT but the ACT could become a world leader in this field. If there is a decision to reduce the fluoride level, a study should be put in place as soon as possible. The results should be monitored very closely, and comprehensive long-term data should be collected and made available to those people who are interested.
It may sound contradictory that the committee has recommended that the level of fluoride in the ACT water supply be reduced to 0.5 parts per million while at the same time we call for funding to be sought for research into its effect, if any, on dental health, following that reduction. However, the arguments put forward - especially those concerning the lack of research - should convince members that the committee's recommendations are appropriate.
In conclusion, I would like to restate that I support the committee's recommendation to reduce the fluoride level to 0.5 parts per million. As I have said before, this was a unanimous decision, without any amendments. I consider that the committee received sufficient evidence to conclude that the sources of fluoride have increasingly become more diverse over the last 25 years and, therefore, the overall intake of fluoride has risen. Also, I believe that if the ACT continues and improves its high quality dental service and health promotion the impact that a reduction of fluoride would have on dental health in the ACT would be minimal. I commend the report to the Assembly.
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