Fluoridation of Drinking Water in Taranaki

Statement of the Taranaki District Health Board’s (TDHB) position

The Taranaki DHB:

• Considers dental decay to be an important public health issue with poorer oral health outcomes reflecting differences in ethnicity and socioeconomic status.

• Supports the Ministry of Health’s position recommending the fluoridation of drinking water supplies to provide protection against tooth decay.

• Considers fluoridation of drinking water supplies to be the most cost effective population-based strategy for the prevention of dental decay in communities of greater than 1000 people.

• Supports the introduction of fluoridation, at accepted safe levels into non-fluoridated reticulated drinking water supplies and the continuing fluoridation of those supplies already fluoridated.

• Supports regular reviews of the evidence for risks and benefits of fluoride to oral health.

• Promotes the use of appropriate alternatives to water fluoridation in communities where fluoridation is not feasible.

• Is committed to promoting health messages endorsing fluoridation of water supplies as a cornerstone of oral health in conjunction with eating healthy food, twice daily brushing with a fluoride containing toothpaste and regularly visiting a dental provider.
  
  Date:                           April 2011
  Review Date:             April 2014
  Adopted by Taranaki District Health Board: 05 May 2011

More Information

Click here to view 'Supporting Information: Fluoridation of Drinking Water' (PDF 129KB)

Click here to view the Water Fluoridation Facts Card (PDF 269KB)

Click here to go to the Ministry of Health Fluoride page
Click here to go to the National Fluoridation Information Service

Last updated: Thursday, April 19, 2012