Australian Council’s Decision to End Fluoride Program Stirs Controversy

AUSTRALIA: Residents in Central Queensland’s towns, including Emerald, Blackwater, Sapphire, and Tieri, will no longer have fluoride added to their drinking water, as the Central Highlands Regional Council has decided to discontinue the program. The move has ignited a debate about the benefits of fluoridated water and its impact on dental health.

A Choice or Public Health?

The council’s decision to cease adding fluoride to its water treatment plants is based on cost considerations and the belief in providing residents with a choice over what they consume. The council argues that healthcare is an individual’s responsibility, and local government should not be involved in dictating health-related matters.

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The Australian Dental Association, on the other hand, has been advocating for the Queensland Government to mandate statewide access to fluoride. 

They contend that this would not only reduce dental care costs for both private patients and the public health system but also significantly decrease dental decay in the population. According to the Queensland branch vice-president, Kelly Hennessy, fluoride reduces dental decay in adults by up to 25 percent and in children by about 44 percent.

Disparities in Fluoride Access

It is worth noting that while approximately 90 percent of Australians have access to fluoridated water, only 72 percent of Queenslanders enjoy this benefit. The dental association argues that this disparity is reflected in the dental health of the population, with higher rates of tooth decay in regions without fluoridated water.

In the council’s meeting minutes, it was revealed that the annual cost of adding fluoride to water treatment plants was approximately $180,000. The council believes this money could be better spent on maintaining assets and raises concerns about staff handling sodium fluoride powder, which can be toxic in its raw format.

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Responsibility for the State Government

Dr. Hennessy and the dental association argue that providing access to fluoridated water should be a state government responsibility, as local councils lack the healthcare professionals to make informed decisions in this regard.

Health Minister Shannon Fentiman, in response to the council’s decision, expressed disappointment and affirmed the dental health benefits of fluoride. However, the issue of whether it should be a state duty remains unanswered.

Townsville is the last major city outside of south-east Queensland to continue adding fluoride to its supplies. Dr. Hennessy highlights that Townsville consistently experiences lower rates of tooth decay in both children and adults due to this practice.

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The Central Highlands Council initially added fluoride to water supplies in 2011, following a state government mandate. However, in 2012, the legislation was amended to grant councils the choice to include or exclude fluoride. Many councils, influenced by misinformation campaigns and public pressure, opted to remove fluoride from their water supplies.

Mr. Jason Hoolihan, General Manager for Infrastructure and Utilities, stated that the Central Highlands Council decided to end the program after evaluating its water treatment process in the context of sustainability and changing community preferences. Dr. Hennessy emphasizes that scientific evidence consistently debunks myths that fluoride in water supplies causes harm. The debate on the role of fluoride in dental health continues in the wake of the Central Highlands Council’s decision.

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