Workshop held on fluoridation

Rotorua Lakes Council invited Ministry of Health representatives to present and answer questions at a public workshop today on the directive to fluoridate water supplies.

Council does not have a choice about whether to fluoridate the water supply now the directive has been issued. It is legally obligated to do so.

In front of a packed public gallery, Ministry of Health Clinical Chief Advisor of oral heath Dr Riana Clarke told elected members New Zealand had high rates of preventable tooth decay, particularly for Māori and Pacific children and those living in deprived communities. This trend was also reflected in local Te Whatu Ora Lakes District data.

Dr Clarke told the workshop fluoridation was a well-established public health measure, and that community fluoridation was safe, effective, affordable and equitable.

During her presentation, she also told elected members that –

• Fluoridation involved adjusting the natural level of fluoride in the water supply to between 0.7mg 1.0mg per litre - the level that prevented tooth decay.
• About 50 percent of New Zealand’s population had access to fluoridated drinking water.
• Reviews carried out in 2014 and 2021 found water fluoridation at the levels used in New Zealand posed no significant health risk.
• A subsequent Ministry of Health Review in 2024 found fluoridation promoted equity by helping reduce the incidence and severity of tooth decay in areas of high socio-economic deprivation.
• The only known side effect of fluoridation was mild fluorosis, a white speckling on teeth, only visible by dental health professionals under close examination and the level of fluoride in the water was monitored to ensure it did not exceed the maximum accepted value.
• Community fluoridation had been endorsed by the World Health Organisation and a 2015 review of fluoridation in New Zealand showed children who had lived in a fluoridated area had a 40 percent lower incidence of tooth decay. The review also found significant reductions in tooth decay for adults and hospital admissions for tooth decay treatment.
• It was estimated that if fluoridation was introduced to all areas of the country, then it would result in $600 million savings in health-related spending over a 20-year period.

Dr Clarke also told elected members that local authorities used to decide whether or not to fluoridate their water supplies, but some had asked that the decision be made centrally.

In 2021, there was an amendment to the Health Act which empowered the Director General of Health to direct local authorities to fluoridate their water supplies, taking this decision out of the hands of councils.

Following the presentation, Dr Clarke and the Medical Officer of Health Phil Shoemack answered questions from elected members including dosage levels, the link between sugar consumption and tooth decay and the findings of international studies on fluoridation.

Rotorua Lakes Council responded to questions from councillors that staff are investigating the possibility of providing an un-fluoridated tap once fluoridation begins.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council Science Manager Rob Donald also spoke at the workshop, addressing environmental concerns.

Council will make a final decision on whether or not to follow the directive at their full council meeting on March 26. Not following the directive could result in significant fines for the council.

Today’s workshop was livestreamed and you can watch the recording here.