Earl Baldwin of Bewdleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they support and promote the fluoridation of the water supply; whether they agree with the previous government about the impossibility of listing fully the scientific publications underpinning the effectiveness and safety of fluoridation (5 March 1997, WA 138); and whether they consider it incumbent on them to justify a major public health initiative of this kind in scientific terms if requested; and
What are the principal studies relied on for both effectiveness and safety of water fluoridation: which of these are randomised controlled trials; and whether they will place copies in the Library.
§ Baroness Jay of PaddingtonEvaluation of the safety and efficacy of fluoridation of water supplies does not rest on the results of a few principal studies, but on the assessments of the very extensive relevant published scientific literature on the effects of fluoride (including human exposure to fluoride present naturally in drinking 35WA water), and on the results of more than half a century of fluoridation. We continue to monitor progress. Recent reviews, which contain lists or references, include:
WHO Technical Report Series 846: Fluorides and oral health (World Health Organisation, Geneva, 1994). ISBN 92 4 120846 5.
One in a Million: water fluoridation and dental public health (Public Health Alliance and British Fluoridation Society, 1995). ISBN, 1 873514 11 5.
National Research Council: Health effects of ingested fluoride (National Academy Press, Washington DC, 1993). ISBN 0-309–04975-X.
Environmental Health Criteria 36: Fluorine and fluorides (World Health Organisation, Geneva, 1984). ISBN 92 4 154096 6.
We are currently reviewing the fluoridation programme and will make an announcement when our review is complete.