Fluoride could be added to Norfolk's drinking water

Public health bosses believe increasing the levels of fluoride in the water supply could be particularly useful in preventing children's teeth from rotting.

Fluoride could be added to Norfolk's drinking water to prevent tooth decay (Image: Anglian Water)

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral, used in toothpaste, because it can prevent tooth decay from starting and from getting worse.

Health bosses are considering asking the government to add fluoride to water in Norfolk (Image: Rui Vieira / PA)

In some parts of the country - such as Birmingham and the North East - it has been added to water since the 1960s, with scientific studies showing tooth decay is reduced in areas where fluoride is boosted.

Fluoride is found in water across the UK, but the amount varies due to geological differences and, in Norfolk and Waveney, the amounts are too low to benefit teeth.

King's Lynn has among the lowest levels of naturally occurring fluoride in water in Norfolk (Image: Ian Burt)

The areas in the county with the lowest fluoride naturally occurring in water are in King’s Lynn and west Norfolk, plus some parts of Broadland and south Norfolk.

So, public health bosses at Norfolk County Council are considering making an application to health secretary Wes Streeting for fluoride to be added to the county's water supply.

Health secretary Wes Streeting (Image: Press Association)

At the Conservative-controlled council's people and communities select committee on Friday, councillors will be asked to consider how such an application could be made.

A report which will come before councillors states that Norfolk could look to work with neighbouring counties and regional health leaders over the move.

The report states: "Water fluoridation is widely established as a very cost-effective and safe public health measure reducing health inequalities, especially in children and young people.

"Water fluoridation provides the greatest value for money of  all oral health interventions, in particular for 0 to five-year-olds and those living in the most deprived areas.

Fluoride occurs naturally in water, but levels are low in Norfolk (Image: Rui Vieira/PA Wire)

"However, water fluoridation can benefit both adults and  children – anyone with natural teeth – and groups less likely to engage through other methods."

The Health and Care Act 2022 made water fluoridation the responsibility of the government, rather than county councils.

That means the government would cover the cost of such schemes, reimburse water companies for adding the fluoride, with no impact on customer bills.

England's chief medical officer Sir Chris Whitty (Image: Aaron Chown/PA)

County leaders hope the proposed extension of the fluoridation scheme in the North East and the backing for such schemes by Sir Chris Whitty, England's chief medical officer, could open the door for a project in Norfolk.

The move comes amid a dental crisis in Norfolk and Waveney, with people struggling to find dentists providing NHS treatment.

More than half of Norfolk's children are going without basic dental care, according to recent statistics.

Among five-year-olds, Norfolk and Waveney had the highest prevalence of tooth decay in the East of England, at 23.8pc, just above the national average of 23.7pc.

Bill Borrett, cabinet member for public health and wellbeing, said: “The consequences of tooth decay and poor oral health can lead to significant pain, time off work and school, costly dental treatment, and in some cases even hospitalisation.

“Water fluoridation is a possible intervention that reduces the scale and likelihood of tooth decay, missing and filled teeth in children and adults.”

The council said a recent study into the effects of water fluoridation on the dental health of adults calculated optimal water fluoridation would cost £10.30 per person, although it would be the government which would pick up the bill.

Fluoride controversy

However, while experts say adding to fluoride can bring benefits, the practice has prompted controversy.

An academic study last month found the benefits of fluoridating water supplies appeared to have declined since the 1970s, when fluoride toothpaste became widely available in the UK.

Fluoride is added to drinking water in many countries (Image: Denise Bradley)

The British Dental Association said the new evidence had not changed its assessment that community water fluoridation was a safe and effective public health intervention and should form part of a package of measures to improve oral health.

Much higher levels of natural fluoride in drinking water have also been associated with dental mottling - white, yellow or brown patches on teeth.

But, given the relatively low fluoride amounts added to water in England, experts said dental mottling is "a small risk" from levels used in public health interventions.

Some studies have claimed an association with hip fracture, Down’s syndrome, kidney stones, bladder cancer or osteosarcoma - a cancer of the bone.

However, the UK's chief medical officers said: "There is conflicting evidence to support these claims and prevailing public health opinion is now that there is no significant association between water fluoridation and these conditions."

In the USA, where fluoridation is common, a federal agency determined "with moderate confidence" there was a link between higher levels of fluoride exposure and lower IQ in children.

But the National Toxicology Programme based its conclusion on studies involving fluoride levels at about twice the recommended limit for drinking water.

Donald Trump (Image: Alex Brandon/AP)However, Robert F Kennedy, a prominent proponent of debunked public health claims, tweeted that newly re-elected president Donald Trump, would push to remove fluoride from drinking water on his first day in office.

Mr Trump's campaign has not commented.