Beattie in a corner as water fluoridation rises as a social justice issue

The Beattie Government is under pressure as the socio-economic divide on oral health is revealing the lifetime sentence for poor, disempowered Queenslanders living in the only Australian state without widespread water fluoridation.

In the national capital this week, the new Australian Oral Health Alliance being spearheaded by the Australian Council of Social Services put the spotlight on the huge social divide emerging between those who can, or cannot, afford to pay for oral heath care and treatment.

Thousands of Queenslanders in lower-socioeconomic areas are languishing on public waiting lists up to seven years long at the same time as historical evidence from other states reinforces the safety and efficacy of water fluoridation as a means of improving oral health outcomes across a population.

“On Seven News last night, Premier Beattie confirmed that his government supported water fluoridation but then he did the usual cute buck-pass by saying it was up to local government authorities to make it happen because they control water in this state,” said Australian Dental Association water fluoridation campaigner Dr Robert McCray.

“That is a complete cop-out by Premier Beattie, and it is time the public saw it for what it is – a failure to accept responsibility for what is a major public health issue that continues to further disadvantage those Queenslanders who are less able to take care of themselves.”

“As a point of social justice, we challenge Peter Beattie to formally request his chief health officer for a recommendation on the issue then legislate to make it happen.”

Only 5 percent of Queensland residents have access to this World Health Organisation-endorsed public health measure that is available to 15 million Australians living mainly interstate.

The Seven News survey of viewers showed 60 percent of locally-born and 71 percent of interstate-born Queenslanders support water fluoridation.

“This reinforces official surveys that 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.”

ADAQ President Dr Martin Webb was in Canberra on Tuesday for Oral Health Advocacy Day and said Federal Health Minister Tony Abbott specifically spoke about the need to introduce water fluoridation in Queensland.

Dr Webb said the interests of the majority should guide decision-makers in Queensland, with those who oppose fluoridation being able to use reverse osmosis filters, or bottled water, if they prefer.

Dr Webb said Mr Beattie must be aware that health professionals in the Queensland Oral Health Alliance – made up of dentists, doctors, pharmacists and public health professional - support water fluoridation at the optimal level of 0.6-1.0ppm as a key part of the total package that is required to achieve good oral health outcomes for all.

For comment, contact Dr Robert McCray on 0412 145 771 or Dr Martin Webb on 5494 2424

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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.