Candidates FOR Ending fluoridation

Candidate
Position
Reason
Penny Bright Mayoral candidate In my considered opinion, tooth decay is not caused by lack of fluoride in public water supplies, but by poor diet and dental hygiene. Research has proven that water fluoridation, using ‘industrial fluoride’, can harm ‘heart, bone, brain and even developing tooth enamel.” As an ‘investigative activist’ I believe in ‘seeking truth from facts’. The continuing vicious, unsubstantiated ‘ad hominem’ attacks, on those who are seeking to protect the public and public health, by stopping the fluoridation of public drinking water supplies, appalls me. Through Official Information Act requests, I have directly challenged statements from both the Prime Minister’s ‘Chief Scientific Advisor’ Professor Sir Peter Gluckman, that ‘the science is settled’ on the issue of fluoridation, when it clearly is NOT; and the unsubstantiated attacks by the Minister of Health, Tony Ryall on those who oppose the fluoridation of public drinking water supplies. This correspondence can be found here: http://www.occupyaucklandvsaucklandcouncilappeal.org.nz/ I have spent some hundreds of hours researching ‘water quality’, in opposition to using the Waikato river as a ‘raw’ source of Auckland drinking water. As a result of my research, it is my considered opinion that neither the Ministry of Health, nor Watercare Services Ltd, can be trusted to look after public health regarding the quality of public drinking water supplies.
Trish Cheel Mayoral candidate I stopped drinking Auckland’s fluoridated tap water in October 2012 and was astonished at the improvement in my health and well-being. Fluoridation is a blatant violation of our right to choose: is highly toxic and yet no studies have been done to determine what harm it does to parts of the body other than teeth: and according to the Ministry of Health’s own statistics does not even benefit teeth, and may actually increase tooth decay! It certainly promotes truth decay as the fraudulent results of the Hastings experiment show. It must go! .
Susanna Kruger Mayoral candidate Whether to add fluoride or not should be the individual’s choice; so I am for ending fluoridation of our water.
John Minto Mayoral candidate I have a science background and a science degree and five years ago I would have said that I supported fluoridation. I would have agreed with the recent statement of the Prime Minister’s senior science advisor that the science was “settled” in favour of fluoridation. However it has become clear there is a mounting body of scientific evidence which makes a strongly arguable case against fluoridation despite the statistical benefits for kids’s teeth. Because of this arguable case I think we should end fluoridation and replace it with full, regular access to dental healthcare for kiwi children.
Reuben Shadbolt Mayoral candidate
Uzra Casuri Balouch Upper Harbour Local Board We should be able to make this most natural of resources available to the community in its purest form. This would also befit our 100% Pure image as an Island nation surrounded by water. I believe those who need or are prescribed fluoride are better off applying it topically to their teeth or ingesting it in tablet form, this provides more control, and this is what I do……use a fluoridated toothpaste.
Edward Benson-Cooper Hibiscus and Bays Local Board I believe water, especially when consumed, should be as natural and as untouched as possible, while still remaining safe to drink. While I understand the addition of fluoride is to reduce the risk of tooth decay, especially those of lower socioeconomic status. Its use presents a conflict between the supposed common good and individual rights in regards to informed consent. However, it should be noted that many countries have experienced substantial declines in tooth decay without the addition of fluoride in water; Primarily due to the addition of fluoride in toothpaste. More importantly, the addition to fluoride does not solve the issue of tooth decay, it merely acts as a band-aid to the problem. The more important question should be; is tooth decay the result of inadequate fluoride in our water or the result of excess sugar in the diet accompanied with poor dental hygiene. I believe education is the key in preventing tooth decay, not the addition of fluoride to water
Mary-Anne Benson-Cooper Albany Ward I am for ending fluoridation in Auckland. When in doubt leave it out.
Chris Bettany Hibiscus and Bays Local Board I am against involuntary mass medication. If fluoride is beneficial for the greater population, I believe that fluoride tablets should be made available at very low cost or free for those who chose to fluoridate. I am against fluoridation because of the side effects for some or many people – fluorosis being one such side effect.
Peter Chan Henderson-Massey Local Board I am for ending fluoridation in Auckland because of the health risks involved
Andrew Craig Howick Local Board I believe in a common sense approach – the only additives to be added to the town supply are those that are necessary to deliver safe to drink water. It should not be used as a vehicle to medicate the masses – people should choose to do that on an individual basis if they so wish
Ross Craig Rodney Local Board It is a matter of choice and most people use fluoride toothpaste any way. Any poison should not be Forced on people to ingest. There are also fluoride tablets available which are not derived from aluminium
Chris Darby Devonport-Takapuna Local Board I do not support the adding of fluoride or any other additive to public water supplies other than additives that are required to help meet water quality standards, e.g. chlorine. It is not the task of council to involuntary medicate the population through fluoridated water
Kathryn Davie Whau Local Board I am certainly against fluoride after going to some meetings, hearing speakers and reading a lot of information. I have to ask why we put up with having this poison in our water and then in our system when we know what we know now. Everyone just seems to believe what they have heard for the last 60 years that we need it for the children. What do we have to do to get people off their backsides and listen to what is being said. I suggest they go out and at least listen to what is being said and ask questions but I don’t think people want to hear that they have so much poison in their bodies already and just hope it will all come out in the wash.
Paul Davie Whau Local Board I have done considerable research on this product Hexofluorosilicic acid. What is worse is that they do what they do not based on scientific evidence but just because it is what they have done since the end of the war when there was tons of this stuff laying around after they finished making munitions, and now we are actually paying the Australians to get rid of a toxic by-product of fertiliser production that our government will not let enter our ecology by any other means except through our gullets and household waste water systems
Lisa Er Eden Albert There are considerable credible health concerns about the effects of fluoride on areas of the body other than the teeth. If the councils / government have not had the effects of fluoride on the developing brain of children tested, as an example, they have no right to use the population as guinea pigs. Therefore people should be allowed choice as to whether to drink it or not, in a society that is democratic. Providing free toothbrushes and toothpaste to school children age 5 and 6 should allay the fears of the dental association, and I imagine cost less than adding fluoride to the water we also shower with, etc!
Rohan Evans Albert-Eden Local Board I feel that this sort of mass medication is out of step with my personal principals of informed consent. I am in no way claiming any medical knowledge on the risks or benefits of fluoridation. But I feel that fluoride treatment is better administered by dental professionals
Allan Frazakerly Waitakere Ward I always try to approach things from a common sense and logical view point. With regards to water fluoridation, we know that the majority of toothpaste brands in New Zealand have sufficient fluoride in them to help fight tooth decay. Fluoride works best by contact with the tooth surface. Plus as well as the possible health risks adding fluoride to drinking water could cause, it also makes the water taste horrible. In my opinion no councils in New Zealand should be adding fluoride to drinking water. As for those people who say a lot of NZ children are getting tooth decay at a young age, that’s more to do with a poor diet – consuming far too many drinks or food that contain lots of sugar and other unhealthy ingredients, and due to poor oral hygiene and not brushing their teeth properly or frequently enough. I believe that councils in this country are getting more and more controlling in many areas of people’s lives. Especially regarding what people can or cannot do on their own properties. I hope to change that and that is one of the main reasons I put my name forward to be a councillor. So if you want more freedom and want a councillor who is honest, sensible and thoughtful, I hope you consider voting for me
Roger Fowler Manukau Ward I am for ending fluoridation in Auckland as I don’t accept the concept of mass medication
Bob Gentil Kaipātiki Local Board I am for ending fluoridation in Auckland water because it takes away the choice
Judy Gilbert Great Barrier Local Board In my opinion it is not the role of Government or Council to impose any chemical additions to our water or food – what people ingest is for each individual/parent to decide on and act accordingly. Ultimately, we are responsible for our own health. If you believe that fluoride is important for you and your family’s teeth then you should purchase it. These sorts of decisions are too vulnerable to lobby groups and corporations influencing Government and Council, particularly when the basis for the decision is based on an idea of saving public money ( ie for dental treatment)
John Gillon Kaipātiki Local Board My understanding of fluoride is that it works topically rather than from drinking fluoridated water. Fluoride can negatively affect the liver and kidneys, has been linked to the calcification of the pineal gland, and can help carry aluminium across the blood-brain barrier. If fluoridation of the drinking supply is to be retained, then we should be using calcium-fluoride, as it is much less toxic than sodium-fluoride
Grace Haden Albert-Eden-Roskill Ward Fluoridation is an individual choice , those who wish to give fluoride to their children can buy tablets. Nothing should be forced on any of us we do not have enough evidence on the side effects of Fluoride on the rest of the body. I believe that we should know what is in our water and we need to promote the use of rain water for domestic use to keep water charges and water supply costs down.
Neil Henderson Waitakere Ranges Local Board I am very much in favour of the fluoridation issues receiving serious attention from Auckland Council. I want to see those who are in opposition to its current addition to our water supply, have fair opportunities to have their arguments and scientific evidence presented fully to our ratepayers. I believe there are serious questions about why we continue a programme of what amounts to compulsory mass medication ,when there is increasing evidence to suggest that it is not only failing in its stated aim of significantly reducing tooth decay but that it may actually be causing easily avoided harm
Russell Hoban Waitemata Local Board I believe in choice and do not like forcing additives onto people via water or food unless it is an extreme and utterly proven situations e.g. Folic acid in bread to reduce birth defects such as spina bifida. I was not raised with fluoridated water and my parents made a choice to give it to myself and brother in pill form. It also needs to be noted, that as a potential Waitemata local board candidate, the decision on fluoridation would not be at local board level. If I was involved in the decision process I might suggest that monies saved by not fluoridating be used on an education campaign on dental hygiene.
Tracy Kirkley Henderson-Massey Local Board My personal view is that I don’t support water fluoridation en masse and would prefer the choice be given – for those who want to add it/ have it in toothpaste, tablets etc. When I drink ” pure” water (rainwater at the bach) it always tastes better, just natural and untampered with. So it was talked about at that last round by Local Board, with me taking the view of non-fluoridation , to others sitting on the fence or ok with it, so I couldn’t get support to pass a resolution on it as a Local Board position.
Lisa Loveday Albert-Eden Local Board I personally suffer from an illness which, is aggravated by fluoride and I am not able to avoid it without considerable expense. It should be personal choice to consume fluoride or not. It will save money and this could be better spent in health & nutrition education amongst at risk groups of the community
JMargaer Miles Upper Harbour Local Board I live on a 5 acre block on tank water so clearly that is not containing fluoride. We moved here when our children were aged 5, 7 and 9. They are now 34, 37 and 39. I did not see the need to give them fluoride tablets as I believed this to be unnecessary. They all have very good teeth. I am not an expert on this but believe that provided our children are given a diet of fresh food then there should be no need to add fluoride to water.
Danny Mountain Hibiscus and Bays Local Board IAs with all medical issues, the Conservative Party believes in ‘Free and Informed Consent.’ Free and informed choice is policy on all health matters and so mandatory dosing of any kind (immunisation, fluoridation) is not supported.
James Papali Manurewa-Papakura Ward I think it is time to stop the risky practise of putting fluoride in our drinking water because of the increasing body of evidence through scientific research that demonstrates the negative effects it could have on our health.
Douglas Roberston Waitakere Ward Local Board The evidence seems pretty overwhelming and I definitely think that people shouldn’t be forced to ingest anything they don’t wish to. I think there should be significant research in to its safety before it’s put into drinking water, and I shall be advocating this if I am elected .
Allison Roe Waitemata DHB The matter of water fluoridation was the first issue I raised as a new health board member three years ago as a result of concerned members of the community bringing it to my attention. I have absorbed information from the local health authorities, have met and spoken with doctors and dentists as well as Prof Paul Connett and researched the topic widely. My position on water fluoridation having spent three years now looking into the science as well as the ethical and legal issues of medicating a society, without informed consent (non dose related as we all drink varying amounts of water) is that the ‘precautionary principle’ (and ‘do no harm’) should apply and that the practice of water fluoridation should cease. Perhaps then the authorities may wish to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter and update their references. Most countries throughout the world presumably for many good reasons have removed fluoride from municipal water supplies with Israel being the latest. Fluoride is not a nutrient and dental health is dependent on minimising sugar, good nutrition and educating people about the importance of excellent dental hygiene. We would do much better with dental health if we promoted healthy lifestyles and taught children to brush and floss twice a day.
Ben Rogers Kaipatiki Local Board I am for ending fluoridation in Auckland because I can’t see any justification for fluoridated water. I have grown up in areas of NZ where there is no fluoridation process (well water/rain water) and as far as I know, there is no difference in teeth health across these different areas in NZ. I do admit that my knowledge in this area is not expert, and with further reading I would be open to suggestions. But for now I feel safe just knowing that there is fluoride in my toothpaste and for me that is enough”
Christine Rose Devonport-Waitākere Ward I am for ending fluoridation of public water supplies because people should be able to choose whether or not to ingest it. While dental health is an important issue, there are many complex factors involved in poor dental health -socio-economic disparities, poor diet, the expense of dental care. Fluoridation does not address these issues. While there’s some evidence that fluoride helps slow tooth decay, there are other ways for people -who want to- to access fluoride, such as in toothpaste. It seems inconsistent and counterproductive that we have fluoride in water foisted upon us but sugar loaded drinks and foods are often cheaper than milk.
Heather Steadman Henderson Massey Local Board I’m a proponent for community led development which is about people standing up for their rights, using their collective voices and making decisions for themselves. Having come from a generation where we were told “it’s good for your teeth” and still believing that “they” know best it’s lucky we live in such an informed society these days, we just need to adapt really quickly to “bottom up” community led development, rather than this “top down” situation
Tracey Talbot Devonport-Takapuna Local Board I am for ending fluoridation because further research should be undertaken to ensure our community are provided with the facts concerning fluoridation and also given the option to take fluoride if they want to.