Waikato DHB on fluoride information

A great press release from the Waikato DHB CE:

A frustrated Waikato District Health Board chief executive lifted the lid today on his thoughts around the upcoming Hamilton City Council fluoride referendum.

Craig Climo spoke to media today in the wake of widespread media coverage around Hamilton City Council’s misguided leaflet on health advice about fluoride efficacy and teeth brushing.

The leaflet was sent out city-wide with rates invoices.

Mr Climo said the whole decision [to take fluoride out of Hamilton’s water] was a “perfect example of science losing out to bias”.

“We put up all the science and the anti-fluoridation side put up ill-informed, misguided comment and it won the day, and I think that should be of concern to anyone who’s rational,” said Mr Climo.

It’s appalling that the Council not only voted against science, but even worse they stick out a pamphlet with incorrect information in it.

“But it’s not even just the financial issue. It’s the poorer oral health status.

“It’s the aesthetics, the stigmatisation, the loss of confidence, the loss of utility of teeth that goes with it.

“It’s little children having teeth removed under general anaesthetic.

“This was a decision made by white middle class people that will seriously disadvantage – has already disadvantaged – people in our community. That’s where we’re going to see the bulk of the problem.

A fair point.