Sir, - We would like to welcome the establishment of the forum on fluoridation, as public debate is vital on this important issue. There is an opinion that people in socio-economically disadvantaged areas would be adversely affected if fluoridation were to be discontinued.
Our organisation is at present looking at the issue of socio-economic deprivation and health. What we can say now is that the alleviation of the adverse health effects of socio-economic deprivation require structural changes in our society. Fluoridation is not the issue here.
Our position on the issue of fluoride has been previously documented; dental decay is caused by inadequate dental hygiene and poor diet, not by a lack of fluoride. We would hope to make a formal submission to the forum when submissions are requested and wish the forum every success. - Yours, etc.,
Dr Elizabeth Cullen, Co-chair, Irish Doctors' Environmental Association, Killarney, Co Kerry.