I was heartened to read Roslyn Barret’s letter (Gympie Today, 9 January), which was critical of the council’s fairly recent uninformed and ill-advised decision to cease fluoridation of the water supply.
It was some indication that not everyone is satisfied that the issue is ‘dead in the water’.
I was also interested to read that her research into the availability of those ‘cheap as chips’ fluoride tablets (touted by at least one anti-fluoridation Councillor) revealed that they are almost unavailable.
Apparently, fluoridation of water in larger and wiser jurisdictions has made their production unprofitable.
Thank you Ms Barret, for warning me against disappointment at the lack of community interest in a matter that is crucial to their dental health and, more importantly, that of their children.
But you really need not have bothered.
And the festive season and the torpor of Summer that you mention are not to blame for community apathy in this matter.
Nor is it the cause of the indifference shown by the local dental fraternity.
Several weeks ago, I contacted every dental clinic in Gympie, respectfully requesting that they contribute their professional perspective on the cessation of fluoridation of the water supply.
Not one of them even responded.
I could only conclude that courses in dentistry do not include units of study titled ‘Community Dental Welfare’ and ‘Basic Common Courtesy’.
More’s the pity!
– Merv Welch,
The Palms.
