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"Fluoridation Figures Contradict
Nelson Mail, The Sep 08, 03:55 PM EST


Sir, In the article 'Fluoridation an issue amid decay reports'' (Nelson Mail, September 4), reporter Marcus Stickley quotes Nelson Marlborough District Health Board as saying that '43 percent of Nelson-Marlborough five-year-olds have tooth decay, the same number as 2004''.

He then goes on to say that 'nationally, about 48 percent of five- year-olds have decayed teeth''. This is followed with the statement, 'Decay rates are on average about 13 percent lower in districts with fluoridated water''. As Nelson and Marlborough water supplies are not fluoridated, these statements contradict themselves.

In countries such as the USA, there is plenty of evidence to show that many of the cities that have fluoridated water also have some of the highest rates of tooth decay in the country. The only real evidence of any effectiveness against tooth decay is through the topical application of fluoride using fluoridated toothpaste.

It is interesting to note that Nelson-Marlborough five-year-olds have a lower rate of tooth decay than the national average at 43 percent compared with 48 percent, so where is the evidence that Nelson-Marlborough children would be better off with fluoridated water?

LORRAINE LEADER"