Water Fluoridation (Hansard, 8 November 1999)

§ Mr. Hood
To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the EU countries which fluoridise their water supplies; and if he will make a statement. [94687]

§ Yvette Cooper
Within the European Union, there are water fluoridation schemes where natural fluoride content has been artificially adjusted up to the optimum level of 1 part per million in the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland and Spain.

§ Mr. Hood
To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the(a) scientific and (b) laboratory studies which provide evidence that fluoridation of water supplies reduces tooth decay in humans. [94688]
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§ Yvette Cooper
The evidence for the safety and efficacy of fluoridation of water supplies is to be found in the very extensive, relevant published scientific literature. Recent reviews, which contain lists or references, includeWHO 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; Review of Fluoride Benefits and Risks (Report of the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on fluoride of the committee to co-ordinate environmental health and related programs. Public Health Service. Department of Health and Social Services, USA. February 1991).
We have commissioned a review which is being undertaken by the University of York Centre for Reviews and Dissemination to assess the evidence on the efficacy and safety of population wide drinking water fluoridation strategies to prevent caries.

§ Mr. Swayne
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 16 July 1999,Official Report, column 361, on water fluoridation, how he will measure the significant risks referred to; and what proposals his Department has to monitor such risks post-fluoridation. [93916]

§ Yvette Cooper
The review will assess the scientific evidence from which it has been widely accepted that the fluoridation of water at one part per million is a safe and effective means of reducing tooth decay. We cannot pre-judge its outcome, but if significant risks were identified we would need to review our policy before any further fluoridation schemes were considered.