Community
30 August, 2024
Fluoride fight
THE battlelines have been drawn over the contentious fluoride debate in Cairns.
The previous regional council refused to add fluoride to the region’s drinking water supply.
But the new council’s Our Survey specifically asks the community about the chemical: Do you support or oppose the addition of fluoride to the city’s water supply?
Mayor Amy Eden would not commit to fluoride either way in her election campaign but promised to survey the community about the issue in the first 100 days of office.
Earlier this month, medical specialist Dr Sarah Coll launched an online petition: https://bit.ly/3AEb2pH
About the same time one opposing fluoridation was started by Zane Cosgrove: https://bit.ly/3T68rLJ
Dr Coll said Cairns was experiencing a health crisis.
“Our community suffers from a high rate of tooth decay, pneumonia, and other related conditions that continue to strain our hospitals and dental clinics,” she said.
“Our health problems, specifically dental, can be significantly reduced by a seemingly minor yet incredibly impactful measure – the reintroduction of fluoride in our water supply.
“Studies have consistently shown that water fluoridation is an effective, safe way to improve dental health (source: Australian Health Policy Collaboration).
“Its beneficial effects include improved tooth strength, protection from decay, reduced dental caries, and overall improved oral health. These positive outcomes are not just for children, but for people of all ages, making it an essential public health measure.
“In many parts of Australia, water fluoridation has been successfully implemented for over 60 years, helping to reduce dental cavities by up to 40 per cent (source: National Health and Medical Research Council).
“We believe that Cairns should also reap these benefits. Our dental health crisis is tangible, and it’s taking its toll on our community.”
“By doing so, the council can protect our teeth and help alleviate the strain on our health services.
“The absence of fluoride in Cairns water is a glaring oversight that is diminishing the dental health of our residents and placing unnecessary strain on our healthcare system.
“Regions like Cairns, who do not have fluoride in their water, are recording double the rate of tooth decay to areas like Townsville, the Gold and Sunshine coasts and Brisbane, with a fluoridated supply.”
JCU Professor of Prosthodontics and Operative Dentistry John Abbott said medical and dental professionals had renewed a push for water fluoridation in Cairns, following the latest health figures that showed nearly half of children who visited public dentists last year (2023) needed to have fillings.
“My position remains that water fluoridation does have benefits for the whole community as there is consistent and reliable evidence water fluoridation reduces tooth decay,” he said.
“Community water fluoridation remains one of the most cost-effective methods of delivering fluoride to all community members regardless of age, educational attainment, or income level.” Cr Eden said she understood that adding fluoride to “our water is a contentious issue, with residents having strong views on both sides of the argument”. “We last asked about fluoride in the 2016 Our Cairns survey, which revealed the community was split on the issue.”
“Without overwhelming support to add fluoride to our drinking water, (the) council determined to maintain the status quo.
“We have welcomed many new residents to Cairns over the past eight years which may have impacted community sentiment. I encourage anyone who hasn’t yet completed the Our Cairns survey to do so, so we can gauge the current views of all our residents.”
Mr Cosgrove said adding fluoride into the Cairns water supply was “costly, inefficient and unethical”.
“This petition is for those that do not want fluoride added to the Cairns water supply or couldn’t be bothered completing the recent ‘Our Cairns’ survey and wish to express their concerns and share their voice,” he said.
“It is well established poor dental health is caused by various factors such as diet, dental hygiene, genetics, and a lack of affordable dental care.
“The Cochrane Organisation has reviewed a considerable amount of evidence for water fluoridation and determined that it only benefits developing teeth. That means for people growing up, children. It has no topical effect for adults despite what your local dentist may say.
“Water fluoridation is also an unmetered ‘treatment’. Some people may drink larger amounts of water per day than others and will ingest a larger dose of fluoride than the recommended standards.
“Fluoride is also found in tobacco, black tea, antidepressants, antibiotics and many industrial products.
“After decades of whistleblowers trying to raise awareness, it is a relief that PFOS and PFOA are finally being discussed and acknowledged as both environmental hazards, and a health risk.
“This issue is highly divisive and causes great anxiety and conflict in our local community.”
