The public consultation on proposals for a local water fluoridation scheme has now been completed.
The Board of South Central Strategic Health Authority (SCSHA), decided on 26 February 2009 to instruct Southern Water to fluoridate the local water supply. SCSHA is the organisation responsible for carrying out a public consultation towards the end of 2008 on a proposal to increase the level of fluoride in the water supply in Southampton and parts of south west Hampshire.
For the latest information from South Central Strategic Health Authority, including a postcode checker/map to see if your area will receive fluoridated water under the proposed scheme, visit NHS South Central's website for information.
This website also include the judgement for the Judicial Review decision which was made on 11 February 2011.
NHS Southampton City remains strongly in support of the proposed water fluoridation scheme for parts of Southampton and South West Hampshire. A water fluoridation scheme would help us to tackle the unacceptably high levels of dental decay in the population, which is particularly an issue for the City’s children. Approximately 500 children needed a general anaesthetic to have teeth removed last year despite significant investment, extensive efforts from Oral Health Promotion teams and good access to NHS dentists. NHS Southampton City believes this is unacceptable.
Water fluoridation has been shown to be a safe and effective method of improving dental health. The current legal process has delayed the implementation of a scheme which would allow the people of Southampton to join the 350 million people worldwide and 5.5 million people in the UK who are benefiting from reduced tooth decay due to water fluoridation. However, NHS Southampton City remains committed to continuing with its extensive Oral Health Promotion work and believes that this good work will be complemented and significantly improved by the introduction of a water fluoridation scheme.”
NHS Southampton City has produced a key facts card which highlights research on the safety and effectiveness of water fluoridation on why we support a scheme locally which can be downloaded below.
