Amid mounting global scrutiny over water fluoridation, several Queensland councils have firmly rejected calls from the Australian Medical Association (AMA) and the Australian Dental Association (ADA) Queensland to fluoridate into public water supplies.
The AMA Queensland recently sent a joint letter to the Queensland government and local councils urging them to commit to fluoridating public water, arguing for fluoride’s long-established role in preventing dental decay.
However, responses from councils that do not fluoridate their water have been swift and critical, doubling down on the serious concerns about the safety, adverse effects and ethics of the practice.
“Council does not support adding a highly toxic product to the water treatment process, therefore we will not be adding fluoridation chemicals to our local public water supply,” South Burnett Regional Council responded in a particularly direct hit back.
Other councils echoed similar sentiments, though with a more measured tone.
Mackay Regional Council reaffirmed its existing policy, stating, “This council has a motion on the books that it is not in our mandate to add fluoride to the water supplies delivered by MRC.”
Gladstone Regional Council indicated no plans to reconsider its current non-fluoridation stance, noting: “There is no planned work regarding reintroducing fluoride into the domestic drinking water supply.”
Gympie Regional Council highlighted its intention to consult the community further, stating: “Council voted for the CEO to bring back a recommended process detailing the best manner in which to seek the community’s input to the continuity of fluoridation in Council’s drinking water or not.”
Noosa Council is adopting a fact-finding approach, arranging an information session for its councillors to gain a comprehensive understanding of the potential benefits and risks associated with water fluoridation.
Global Shift and Scientific Controversy
The debate over water fluoridation has intensified globally, with new scientific findings and policy shifts challenging its once-universal acceptance.
In the United States, court rulings and recent scientific studies have led to reductions in fluoride levels in public water supplies.
Most of the world, including the European Union have long refrained from fluoridating water, and only about 10% of England’s population receives fluoridated drinking water.
98% of western Europe has rejected fluoridation, including: Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland,Scotland, Iceland, and Italy.
Recent research by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) linked higher fluoride exposure to lower IQ scores in children.
For every one part per million increase in fluoride measured in urinary samples, children’s IQ scores decreased by an average of 1.63 points, according to the study. The findings raise concerns about cumulative fluoride exposure from multiple sources, including toothpaste, dental treatments, tea, coffee, and certain foods.
“There is concern that pregnant women and children are getting fluoride from many sources,” said Kyla Taylor, an epidemiologist at the NIEHS and lead author of the report.
“Their total fluoride exposure may be too high and could affect fetal, infant, and child neurodevelopment.”
Dr. Taylor emphasized that the study aimed to contribute to understanding the safe use of fluoride and did not evaluate the broader public health implications of water fluoridation.
Shifting Perspectives
While water fluoridation has long been hailed as a cost-effective public health measure to prevent tooth decay, its necessity in today’s context is increasingly questioned.
Fluoride is now widely available in toothpaste, mouthwash, and dental treatments, enabling individuals to manage their own fluoride intake without mandatory water fluoridation.
Critics argue that fluoridation removes individual choice, introducing a chemical to public water that everyone consumes, regardless of their consent or needs. Environmental concerns about the impact of fluoride on ecosystems and ethical issues surrounding mass medication further complicate the debate.
Despite these controversies, health authorities, including the AMA and ADA, continue to advocate for water fluoridation as an equitable and effective measure, particularly for communities with limited access to dental care.
The issue remains divisive, with councils across Queensland opting to weigh community input and scientific evidence carefully before making any decisions.
