Two questions on community water fluoridation were asked to the candidates of the Dunedin City Council, and Mayor. Responses were solicited via both vote.co.nz, and by email. The questions were as follows:

“Firstly, what is your position on community water fluoridation, specifically the safety, efficacy and ethical implications of community water fluoridation schemes?
Secondly, what role do you believe health authorities and researchers should play in council decisions made regarding issues of health, such as community water fluoridation?
How well was your position on this reflected by the actions taken by the Hamilton City Council, in their decision to end community water fluoridation after holding a tribunal on the issue in May of this year?”

 

A summary of responses follows, given in alphabetical order.

Mayoral candidates:
Hilary Calvert – Supports fluoridation.

“I believe it is appropriate to fluoridate town water supplies.”

Pete George – Some opposition to water fluoridation

“In general I’m against “mass medication” and prefer personal responsibility. I personally wouldn’t mind if fluoride was not added to local water.”

Steve McGregor – Position on water fluoridation unclear, but supports an advisory role of health authorities.

“I think Health authorities and researchers advice should be taken on-board as new discoveries are made all the time. Water fluoridation might of been seen as “safe” in the past as a way to protect teeth but as we evolve and new research is done, things like water fluoridation might not be as safe as we once thought.”

Lee Vandervis – Opposes water fluoridation, and does not believe there needs to be a role for health experts in decisions made regarding of water fluoridation.

“If we add fluoride to the water supply we effectively force it on a growing number of people who do not want it. Because of this, I believe we as a Council should make the decision not to force it on our citizens, and that we can make this decision on personal freedom grounds even though we are not scientific experts.”

Candidates Aaron Hawkins, Olivier Lequeux, Dave Cull, Kevin Dwyer and Andrew Whiley all gave no response.

 

City council candidates (mayoral candidates excluded):

John Bezett – Position on fluoridation not stated, but endorses the role of health authorities in the decision making process.

“I will always take the advice and guidance of the Health Authorities”

Julian Crawford – Opposes water fluoridation, does not see health boards as authorities in decision making process.

“those who do not wish to have fluoride in their water should be able to get it freely from their taps.”
“All scientific matters should be decided according to the rational evidence presented to the local councils and health boards.”

John P Evans – Position on both fluoridation, and the role of health authorities is unclear.

“If it is proven that fluoride assists to minimise teeth decay, but potentially diminishes IQ then I would be in support of not including the chemical in our water supply”
“Clearly we should take advice from proven health studies, we should not be guided by health department opinion not based on independent studies.”

Christine Garey – Supports fluoridation, and strongly endorses the role of health authorities in decision made on matters of health.

“I support community fluoridation at this time If elected and asked to vote on the matter”
“The role of experts is vital to making good decisions in any health matter concerning the community.”

Tat Loo – Position on fluoridation unclear. Is somewhat supportive of the advisory role of health authorities.

“I believe that a very high threshold of effectiveness, benefit and safety is required to justify the addition of chemicals like fluoride salts to the water supply.”
“although scientists and academics have a crucial contribution to make to the decision making process, it is not their role to determine the values and priorities which should be applied to decisions affecting the larger community.”

Mike Lord – Supports water fluoridation, and endorses the role of health experts in the decision making process.

“I accept the weight of scientific evidence that would suggest fluoridation does significant good to children and young adults in their teeth forming years. Being a lay person and not trained in these matters I accept the recommendations of health authorities and scientists who have studied these issues.”

Irene Mosley –Supports water fluoridation.

“I am in favour of fluoridation in water schemes. I have worked in communities which do not have this and have been shown the evidence of the benefit of fluoridation, from school dental clinics in these areas, as opposed to those in areas with fluoridation”

Richard Thomson – Supports water fluoridation and believes that scientific authorities need to engage with the issue more.

“I currently support the retention of fluoride in our water supply.”
“I am disappointed at the relative disengagement by scientific authorities in this debate.”

Warren Voight – Opposes water fluoridation, but supports the role of health authorities advising council.

“Compulsory mass medication of entire populations is unethical and on that basis I do not support the fluoridation of public water supplies.”
“I believe that health authorities and researchers have a moral obligation to provide local bodies with up-to-date, impartial information on issues affecting community health & well-being”.

Kate Wilson – Supports water fluoridation, and endorses a greater role for health experts in the decision making process.

“I support fluoridation at safe levels and while regretting that it has been delegated to Councils to decide on – I believe it is more appropriate for health experts to decide”

David Benson – Strongly supports fluoridation and notes the advisory role of health authorities.

“I consider fluoridation of public water supplies a very important public health measure, and note the Ministry of Health advice on this matter.”

Nigel Harwood – Supports fluoridation and the advice of the experts.

“I am for Fluoridation until the dental school in Dunedin advise against it.”

Candidates Phillip Cole, Ali Copeman, Martin Dillon, Malcolm Dixon, Rachel Elder, Pete George, Doug Hall, Lindsay Harrison, Francisco Hernandez, Paul Hudson, Jinty MacTavish, Kim Mitchell, Kevin Neill, Letisha Nicholas, Neville Peat, Tom Ross, Chris Staynes, Conrad Stedman and Teresa Stevenson all gave no response.