Water Fluoridation

Te Whatu Ora Taranaki Position Statement

Te Whatu Ora Taranaki:

• Considers dental decay to be an important public health issue with significant ethnic and socioeconomic health inequalities in both oral health status and access to dental services, in Aotearoa New Zealand.
• Endorses community water fluoridation as an important public health measure in the maintenance of oral health, the prevention of tooth decay and the reduction of health inequalities.
• Supports the Ministry of Health’s position, recommending the fluoridation of drinking water supplies to provide further protection against dental decay (0.7 – 1.0 mg/L).
• Acknowledges that community water fluoridation is a safe, effective and affordable population-based strategy for the prevention of dental decay.
• Is committed to promoting health messages endorsing fluoridation of water supplies as a cornerstone of oral health in conjunction with eating healthy food, reducing sugar intake, twice daily brushing with a fluoride containing toothpaste and regularly visiting a dental provider.
• Supports regular reviews of the evidence for risks and benefits of fluoride on oral and general health.

Adopted by Taranaki District Health Board: 28 May 2015