October 6, 2000

To All Members, Liverpool City Council

Dear Colleague,

After several postponements of the date of publication, the York Systematic Review of Water Fluoridation, a "once and for all" study which the DoH expected to give the green light to a wholesale fluoridation of UK domestic water supplies was published today. Despite the unreasonably narrow terms of reference - for example, no studies involving animals or fluoride from sources other than water fluoridation were include - and despite the considerable spin which will be evident the following are the salient points of the report:

The actual reduction in tooth decay rates found was 14.6% as against the claimed 50%+, equivalent to an average one fifth of one tooth per child. Not a lot is it.

Severe dental fluorosis (fluoride poisoning) was found in 12.5% of subjects, i.e. dentally it does at least as much harm as good; visible dental fluorosis was found in 48%. Dental fluorosis is universally conceded as being unequivocal evidence of fluoride toxicity in a population.

No evidence whatsoever was found of there being greater benefit for poorer children, i.e. there is no reduction in health inequality.

Few (certainly not the claimed "hundreds of") studies demonstrating safety and efficacy were found and these were of low scientific quality.

This shows yet again that the stance taken by this Council and both our local CHCs in 1994 in opposing fluoridation of Liverpool's water was correct. Rather than pursuing this discredited strategy and poisoning everyone every day of their lives, we now need a concerted effort to improve NHS dental services, target resources more effectively and provide better education about dental hygiene and sensible nutrition to tackle more effectively a problem which disproportionately affects children from poorer families.

Yours sincerely,

Cllr. Paul Clein, B. Pharm. M.R. Pharm.S

(all emphasis in original)