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Fluorde would made a big difference to dental health
Last year Southampton City Primary Care Trust's dental service removed over 3,900 teeth from 700 children under a general anaesthetic to relieve pain and infection caused through tooth decay.
This is in addition to those teeth which were removed under a local anaesthetic in dental practices across Southampton.
These figures are similar to those of previous years despite a wide range of initiatives being introduced, aimed at improving dental health of children, especially in those areas where we know dental health is particularly poor.
The traumatic experience of having teeth removed at such a young age is often considerable and may remain with people for life.
Areas like Birmingham where the water has been fluoridated for over 40 years have shown huge improvements in dental health of children and there are areas of the country who benefit from having fluoride naturally in the water.
Many people already know about the benefits water fluoridation brings to children such as less tooth decay, less pain, fewer fillings and fewer teeth removed however it is not just children who benefit from having the right amount of fluoride in the water.
As more people are living longer and keeping their own natural teeth well into old age we would all stand to benefit from topping up the level of fluoride in water and especially those people who are most vulnerable, the very young and old.
Topping up the amount off fluoride by such a small amount to just one part in one million parts would not only improve dental health but would also be a saving for the individual and for the NHS. Why should we miss out?
DENISE MATTIN, clinical drector, Southampton City Primary Care Trust Dental Service.
10:00am Friday 9th May 2008
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