RICHARD Evans accuses me of inaccuracy when I was misquoted on the extent of support for fluoride.

What I actually said at the meeting organised by Hampshire Against Fluoride was that many national and international health organisations back fluoridation of the water supply.

They include the World Health Organisation, the British Medical Association, the British Dental Association and the UK Public Health Association (UKPHA).

I note that the outgoing chief executive of UKPHA is Southampton’s parliamentary candidate for the Green Party, whose rather dogmatic position on fluoride is in stark contrast to that of most informed public health opinion.

It would be foolish if policymakers were to ignore the scientific and medical evidence available. Many politicians, of course, prefer to court public opinion even where this may be at odds with the facts.

DAVE SHIELDS, Southampton.