About the Forum

Perhaps the simplest way to present the background to the Forum is to give a series of questions and appropriate answers which deal objectively with the most frequently raised topics.

What are the Terms of Reference of the Forum on Fluoridation?

The terms of reference of the Forum are as follows:

to review the fluoridation of public piped water supplies and the programme of research being undertaken on behalf of health boards in the area
to report to the Minister.

What exactly is Fluoridation?

The addition of Fluoride, a form of the element Fluorine, to anything is known as fluoridation. However, in everyday usage and notably in the present context, the term is invariably used in connection with drinking water, as 74% of the population in Ireland receive fluoridated water. Salt fluoridation is practised in a number of European countries.

Why is Fluoride added to Drinking Water, Salt and to most Toothpastes?

Some 50 years ago researchers found that the level of dental caries [tooth decay] in young children was markedly lower in areas where the drinking water supplies contained natural levels of fluoride at concentrations around one milligram per litre (colloquially referred to as "one part per million"), as compared to places where there were no natural fluoride levels.

This observation led in the course of time to the practice of adding fluoride around the 1 milligram/litre level to water supplies without natural fluoride, in order to achieve similar dental benefits.

From the outset, the policy of fluoridation has been controversial, as mentioned below, and in Ireland the constitutionality of the Health (Fluoridation of Water Supplies) Act, 1960, which enabled the fluoridation of public water supplies, was unsuccessfully challenged in the courts. There has been ongoing debate on fluoridation internationally over the years.

The understanding that fluoride has a topical, as well as a general systemic, effect led to the addition of fluoride to toothpaste thus allowing the benefits of fluoride to people who live in non-fluoridated areas.

What is the Forum on Fluoridation?

The Forum on Fluoridation is a panel of some 18 persons with a very wide range of appropriate knowledge, experience and responsibilities. This panel has been given the task of examining all aspects of fluoridation and its role in Ireland now and making recommendations as to whether its use should be continued and, if so, in what form.

By whom was it set up?

The Forum was established in May 2000 by Mr Micheál Martin TD, Minister for Health and Children, who allocated one year to the task of the Forum which started its work on 6 September 2000.

The Forum is due to complete its work in September 2001 and will present its final report to the Minister.

Why was the Forum established?

The fluoridation of drinking water in Ireland dates back to the early 1960's. On occasions over the past 40 years the issue of the benefits and possible negative aspects of fluoridation has come to the public's attention.

The issue is an extremely complex one, not all facets of which are apparent or known to all those engaged in the public debate.

Because of the increasing interest and concern over fluoridation, reflected in growing media coverage, the Minister took the decision to have the question addressed as exhaustively as practicable within a reasonable time scale.

Who are its Members?

For a list of members please click on Forum Members.

The overall composition of the Forum comprises representatives of the relevant Government Departments (in particular the Department of Health and Children which has the primary responsibility in this field), regional health authorities, university faculties engaged in relevant research areas, consumer bodies, environmental interests, and professional dental and medical bodies. In addition, its members include specialists engaged in the measurement and reporting of fluoride levels in drinking water, authorities on ethical, legal and sociological matters etc.

Is there an independent Chairman?

Yes. The Chairman of the Forum is Professor Pat Fottrell, former President of the National University of Ireland, Galway, who has extensive relevant knowledge and experience but who is not engaged in any way with the practice of fluoridation.

What are its Terms of Reference?

The Terms of Reference of the Forum are succinct and specific:

to review the fluoridation of public piped water supplies and the programme of research being undertaken on behalf of the health boards in the area
to report and make recommendations to the Minister for Health and Children.

How can the Forum ensure that its consideration of the Fluoridation question will not be biased either for or against Fluoridation?

While those members of the Forum representing the public health authorities will inevitably have functions and responsibilities in fluoridation practice in Ireland, they share with their colleagues on the Forum, many of whom are independently active in the broad field of public health, an anxiety that the investigations and deliberations of the Forum shall be in-depth, wide-ranging and - above all - objective.

From its initial, September 2000, meeting the Forum has recognised the importance of ensuring that submissions both for and against fluoridation should be taken equally into consideration. Thus, at its October 2000 meeting, the Forum heard presentations from two invited experts, Dr Paul Connett [U.S.A.] and Professor Hardy Limeback [Canada], who are opposed to the fluoridation of drinking water. Coincidentally, while the guest experts were present, Mr Micheál Martin TD, Minister for Health and Children, addressed the Forum and stressed his wish that it should go about its task without preconceptions and with a totally open mind.

This even-handed approach will be maintained by the Forum both in its investigatory/information gathering phase and in the preparation of its conclusions.

Will the public have any input to the Forum?

It is hoped that the public will have a very significant input. The remit of the Forum stresses the importance of public consultation, and the Forum has taken several active steps to ensure that there will be as great a public input as possible.

To date, there have been prominent press advertisements inviting submissions from individuals, voluntary and professional organisations and all other interested parties. These public notices have been supplemented by "spot" advertisements in the broadcast media, again inviting submissions.

Because individual consumers or households may have general concerns about fluoridation, or may support the practice, the Forum is equally anxious that their views should be aired and taken into account. Accordingly, it has prepared a straightforward leaflet on which those who feel it inappropriate for them to contact the Forum formally may express their views under the principal headings.

This leaflet was made available from the Forum Secretariat (address given below) and was also available from health board clinics. It was requested that submissions be returned by "FREEPOST" or e-mail to the Forum before 31 March 2001.

Forum on Fluoridation Secretariat
c/o Department of Health and Children
Hawkins House
FREEPOST
Dublin 2
(No postage stamp required)

E-mail: fluoridation_forum@health.irlgov.ie

Each submission returned to the Forum, however brief or informal, will be scrutinised and considered in the framing of the Report.

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