§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, in view of the fact that many taxpayers object to compulsory mass medication, he will arrange for those who wish to use fluorides to have them supplied through the National Health Service rather than via the water supply.
§ Sir George YoungThere are no plans to alter the present arrangements whereby fluoride tablets may be prescribed by general medical practitioners or made available by dental officers in the community dental service. They may also be purchased from pharmacies. I am aware of other methods of making fluorides available, but water fluoridation is the most effective known way of achieving optimal dental benefit and in spite of objections there are strong indications of widespread public support for this beneficial community health measure.