§ Mr. Lawrenceasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether any warning is given, in areas where water is artificially fluoridated, concerning the possible injurious effects upon health of additional consumption of fluoride tablets or the swallowing of fluoridated toothpaste; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John PattenThe normal use of fluoride toothpaste in a fluoridated area is not considered to be in any way injurious. "The British National Formulary", which is available to general dental and medical practitioners and pharmacists for the purposes of prescribing under the NHS, contains the advice that
Fluoride supplements should not be prescribed without prior reference to the fluoride content of the local water supply and are not advisable when the water contains more than 0.7 mg per litre".The labelling of such supplements when sold over the counter under the supervision of a pharmacist advises that it is unnecessary to take fluoride tablets in areas where water is fluoridated and that purchasers should consult a dental or medical practitioner or pharmacist before administering the preparations.