Calderdale Council to consider water fluoridation following children’s dental health debate
Members of Calderdale Council are set to explore the possibility of adding fluoride to local water supplies following a debate on children’s dental health.
At a council meeting where children’s oral health was on the agenda, members of the council’s children and young people’s scrutiny board discussed several measures, including water fluoridation. This is a very controversial subject, but one which councillors on the panel believe is worth pursuing. At present, there are no plans to add fluoride to the water supplies in Calderdale, but councillors are willing to take a look at the viability of a project and the potential benefits for the area’s children.
Conservative councillor Stephen Baines has suggested that the public should be consulted on the matter and that councillors will work with local authorities to discuss the options and gauge support for such a programme. Mr Baines’ recommendations were echoed by Labour and Liberal Democrat councillors.
As well as debating the possibility of water fluoridation, councillors also raised the issue of access to NHS dental services. Cllr Marilyn Greenwood said that she had found no available dental places when searching on behalf of somebody who had recently moved into the area.
There were also calls to provide fresh milk for older schoolchildren, as well as pre-school and reception pupils, who already have access to milk at nursery or school.
Following the meeting, councillors will now follow up on proposed measures and further discussions will take place in the coming weeks and months.
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