Health
Public Health to Consider Fluoridation
This is one of a number of responses to the report into children’s oral health
The gov has requested that Public Health explore the fluoridation of water supplies to help reduce levels of tooth decay.
This is one of a number of responses to the Social Affairs Policy Review Committee’s report in into children’s oral health.
The original report made seven recommendations to support the continued reduction in the number of children experiencing decay or oral health issues.
The recommendations made in the original report include updating the implementation plan for the Oral Health Strategy 2021-26, introducing the ‘Smile of Mann’ programme to nurseries, reducing levels of decay in children who aren’t registered with an NHS dentist and undertaking a dental care campaign.
CoMin has accepted the principle of the recommendation, but has also proposed making three changes.
Part of these amendments include amalgamating the implementation plans for the Oral Health and Dental Strategies, tasking Public Health with researching the possibility of fluoridation of water to help reduce levels of tooth decay, and the relaunch of a revised Smile in Mann programme with a review point to determine impact.
That research is due to be considered by CoMin in December this year, and will consider the effects this may have on the population, to what extent it would reduce levels of tooth decay and whether it would be a more efficient and effective way of preventing tooth decay in children than targeted fluoride varnish application.
That report, as well as CoMin’s response, would then go to Tynwald, with it due to be published in February 2024.
DHSC Minister Lawrie Hooper said in the response: ‘The health of our island residents is of utmost importance and in particular, protecting the Island’s children and their future. We recognise that all children need to be given equitable access to treatments, both preventative and remedial, in order for them to thrive and for us to be able to provide services which are sustainable for the future, in line with the vision set by Our Island Plan.’
