The decision to direct Councils to fluoridate water supplies appears to have been made without Dr Bloomfield considering any of the matters he was legally required to consider before giving a direction, an Official Information Act reply reveals.
The Government was losing the scientific argument so it passed the power to a political bureaucrat who would make a predetermined “decision” supporting policy, not fact. It was always clear that this legislation was mandatory fluoridation by the back door – in the face of the overwhelming science that fluoridation is ineffective and unsafe.
The entire “case” this directive is based on is the 2009 Oral Health Survey “house of cards” The Survey actually states it is not a fluoridation study!
Since New Plymouth ceased fluoridation in 2011 tooth decay has continued to decrease – at the same rate as in the still-fluoridated areas. On this basis, the directive to fluoridate New Plymouth is unlawful under the legislation.
We have very good school dental data on tooth decay rates. An in-depth analysis of those data does not support claims of a benefit from fluoridation. Targeted programmes such as school toothbrushing programmes, as included in the Scottish Childsmile programme (most successfully replicated at Kaitaia Intermediate School in Northland) would be a far better use of money and resources than wasting millions we cannot afford on fluoridation equipment.
Nationwide, new fluoridation plant capital costs are estimated to exceed $150m, and there has been no consideration given to ongoing operation and maintenance, which will be sheeted home to ratepayers.
Transferring a fraction of these costs to supervised school oral health programmes would reach wider than community water fluoridation and on the basis of proven experience be far more successful.
We also now have evidence beyond any reasonable scientific doubt that water fluoridation reduces children’s intelligence by as much if not more than Leaded petrol was, when we banned it. This has been shown to have measurable negative life outcomes.
Green 2019 showed IQ damage in the womb from fluoridated water, especially for boys. Goodman 2022 showed that Iodine deficiency in the mother (common in NZ) made this even worse. Till 2020 showed IQ damage from bottle-feeding with fluoridated water. Riddell 2019 showed an increase in ADHD from fluoridated water.
What parent in their right mind would dumb down their children, or increase their risk of ADHD, even if they believed it would save them ½ a filling?
The people of Whangarei, Waipukurau, Ashburton and Timaru have all made it clear they do not want fluoridation. Yet the Act does not require consultation with any of them, contrary to the strong recommendation of the 1956 Commission of Inquiry into Fluoridation.
This “decision” is just another display of totalitarianism by a Government that doesn’t listen to the people who elected it on any issue, and is well past its use-by date.
Thankyou for taking a stand against water fluoridation. I am shocked by the studies I have read that detail the effects of fluoride on the developing brain. There are simply too many studies saying this to ignore. And yet NZ states there is “not enough evidence” to warrant action. What is worse is the publics apparent lack of concern and awareness of this. With three waters coming, mandatory water fluoridation for the whole country is much more likely. This is concerning aswell.
Just sheer monumental stupidity of the scheme: everyone drinks and showers in and flushes fluoride into environment because some supposedly can’t afford or be bothered to floss and brush with fluoridated toothpaste that’s filling up supermarket shelves (and landfills) or rinse with fluoridated mouthwash. Shocked to find I was ingesting fluoride for years in Taupo since moving there. Didn’t help me with dentist bills – still were huge until I reduced the intake of what was contributing (also switched to a waste-free dental care option: Nature Body powder). Many dentists seem to be for because they care so much while some of them seem to charge you heaps at every opportunity (I’ve been quoted for work that wasn’t necessary according to other dentists). Wonder what long exposure consequence may be and why I have no choice.
Did Dr Bloomfield consider any of the matters he was legally required to consider before giving a direction to fluoridate water supplies?