Merv Welch calls for concerted action by dentists and the community to overturn Council’s decision for discontinuance of fluoridation in Gympie’s water supply. Good luck with that during the festive season, followed by the summer holiday torpor of January.
I have done research, S Hansen, on the availability of fluoride tablets which are supposed to be “as cheap as chips“.
Enquiries at several chemists reveal they no longer stock them, presumably because the water has been fluoridated.
Most major cities in Australia still fluoridate their water, so it’s probably not profitable to even manufacture the tablets. So much for having a choice.
There’s a sizable proportion of the population which wouldn’t be bothered making a choice.
Their children are vulnerable and will experience most of the estimated 10% extra dental decay found in unfluoridated regions.
The school dental programme is funded by the State Government, since it is responsible for Health, so Gympie Council has effectively removed a cost to itself while putting an extra burden on State Government coffers.
Roslyn Barrett,
Imbil.
