FLUORIDATION DEBATE MUST NOT DISTRACT FROM IMPORTANCE OF ACCESS TO AN NHS DENTIST - LAMB

10.58.13am GMT Mon 18th Feb 2008

Responding to Government plans announced today for new funding and guidance to facilitate adding fluoride to England's water supplies, Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary, Norman Lamb said: "There is a case for fluoride to be added to water, but it is not up to the Government to impose this on the entire country from Whitehall. Local communities must have the power to decide if and when they want fluoride in their water supplies.

"The Government must not use this to sidestep the real issue of rapidly dwindling access to NHS dentistry. Good long-term oral health will only be assured if urgent action is taken to reverse this criminal decline."