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31 May 2007
State Government has no more excuses on water fluoridation
The Beattie Government takeover of water in south-east Queensland has removed the final excuse for avoiding a public health policy that is endorsed by the World Health Organisation, the Australian Medical Association and the Australian Dental Association.
Australian Dental Association Queensland Branch president Martin Webb said since Premier Peter Beattie has moved to take control of the south-east Queensland water distribution system, he is now in a position to implement water fluoridation as is available in every Australian capital city except Brisbane.
“On Seven News in March, Premier Beattie confirmed that his government supported water fluoridation but then he said it was up to local government authorities to make it happen because they control water in this state,” Dr Webb said.
“Since the Premier Beattie has moved to take over control of water in south-east Queensland, ADAQ is calling on him to commit to introducing water fluoridation as soon as the State Government has control of water treatment plants.”
Water fluoridation is regarded by health organisations as being a safe and effective means of helping reduce dental decay along with good oral hygiene and healthy diets.
“Public health is a state government responsibility and under the new regime, the state government will have no more excuses for its failure to implement what is regarded by expert groups as good public health policy.”
Dr Webb said the Queensland Oral Health Alliance – made up of the Queensland branches of the Australian Medical Association, the Australian Dental Association, the Pharmaceutical Society and the Public Health Association Australia – believes there is a huge social divide on oral heath care and treatment.
“Thousands of Queenslanders are languishing on public waiting lists for up to seven years compounded by the state’s failure to implement a safe and effective means of improving oral health outcomes across the population.”
Only 5 percent of Queensland residents have access to this WHO-endorsed public health measure that is available to 15 million other Australians living mainly interstate.
Official and creditable surveys indicate a majority of Queenslanders support water fluoridation. The 2006 Queensland Social Survey conducted by the Population Research Laboratory at Central Queensland University showed 76 percent of Queenslanders support water fluoridation, 83 percent believe it is safe and 86 percent believe it prevents tooth decay.
Dr Webb said the interests of the majority should guide decision-makers in Queensland, with those who oppose fluoridation on personal grounds being able to use reverse osmosis filters, or bottled water, if they prefer.
For comment, contact Dr Martin Webb on 5494 2424 or Dr Robert McCray on 0412 145 771.
All of the information included on this web site is accurate to the best of knowledge of the Australian Dental Association (Queensland Branch). To make the text more readable for non-scientists, ADAQ has deliberately minimised attributions and links to supporting files or scientific attachments. However these sources are readily available if required and many can be found via www.health.qld.gov.au/fluoride. |
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