§ Mr. ChidgeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health which European Union countries currently have artificial fluoridated public water supplies; and which European Union countries have abandoned artificial fluoridated public water supplies in the last 20 years. [23733]
§ Mr. MaloneThis information is shown in the table.
Water fluoridation in Europe Current status If discontinued in last 20 years Austria Natural only — Belgium Natural only — Denmark Natural only — Finland Natural only Kuopio fluoridated 1959 to 1992 France Natural only — Germany Natural only Schemes in GDR ceased on reunification Greece Actively pursuing — Ireland Mandatory, approx 70 per cent. coverage — Italy Actively pursuing — Netherlands Natural only Artificial fluoridation 1953 to 1973 Spain Approx. 2 million people receive artificial fluoridated supplies, actively pursuing extending coverage — Sweden Natural only — United Kingdom Approximately 10 per cent. coverage, actively pursuing extending coverage to approx. 25 per cent. — Luxembourg No data No data Portugal No data No data Source:
British Fluoridation Society—12 May 1995.
§ Mr. ChidgeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health whether water companies that add fluoride to the public water supplies are indemnified by her Department for legal claims of negative health effects. [23734]
§ Mr. MaloneThe Department of Health, subject to Treasury approval, offers water undertakers wide indemnities against civil liabilities, including costs and expenses in connection with any proceedings, in connection with the fluoridation of the water supply, provided that the actions of the water undertaker are within the terms of the agreement with the health authority.
§ Mr. ChidgeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the extent of medical research on the long-term benefits of artificial fluoridated water supplies for(a) children and (b) adults, based on detailed studies of the dental records of communities with added artificial fluoridated public water supplies and communities without added artificial fluoridated public water supplies but with similar economic and social backgrounds. [23736]
§ Mr. MaloneOur assessment is that it has been shown conclusively that water fluoridated at one part per million can result in a 50 per cent. reduction in tooth decay in children and also helps adults to keep their teeth longer. 171W A number of studies have been carried out into the long term benefits of artificially fluoridated water supplies for both children and adults in comparable fluoridated and non-fluoridated areas of similar social and economic backgrounds. Summaries of such studies and their findings are set out in the recent book "One in a Million: Water Fluoridation and Dental Public Health", published jointly by the Public Health Alliance and the British Fluoridation Society, pages 8 to 18, copies of which are available in the Library.
§ Mr. ChidgeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what instructions her Department gives to the manufacturers of dental products containing fluoride concerning(a) the need for adults and children to be informed of the potential harm of such products if consumed in excess and (b) the suitability of such products for young children. [23738]
§ Mr. MaloneThe Department of Health is responsible for regulating those dental products containing fluoride and regarded as medicinal. Medicinal products are granted licences on the basis of quality, safety and efficacy. The dangers of excess consumption and the products' suitability for young children are addressed in the licence.
Dental products containing fluoride include toothpaste, gels, mouthwashes, tablets and drops. Some of these products are medicines and come under the responsibilities of the Department of Health, while others are cosmetics and are regulated by the Department of Trade and Industry.
§ Mr. ChidgeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health which health authority areas in England and Wales currently have fluoridated public water supplies; and on what dates the fluoridation of public water supplies commenced in each such area. [23739]
§ Mr. MaloneThis information is set out in the book "One in a Million: Water Fluoridation and Dental Public Health", published jointly by the Public Health Alliance and the British Fluoridation Society, pages 33 to 52, copies of which are available in the Library.