Health Minister Andy Kerr says he would like to introduce the fluoridation of Scotland’s water supply in order to combat high levels of dental disease in young people, but is being prevented from doing so by his Liberal Democrat Executive partners. Kerr told Holyrood he thinks fluoridation is “the right thing to do” but says that “in terms of policy, in terms of the partnership, in terms of the way we do our business here it is not something I am able to achieve at the moment”. The Labour-led Executive has previously looked at introducing fluoridation, but the plan fell by the wayside after a consultation was launched in 2002. The Lib Dems say they are opposed to mass medication in any form, and that issues such as fluoridation are subject to negotiation in a coalition government. Asked if he thought the debate on fluoridation was closed in Scotland for the foreseeable future, Kerr said: “No, it is not for me but I have to say politically, it is a difficult one. I’m a fan, I think it is the right thing to do. There is good evidence around this, in my view, but of course, we get into big debates around mass medication and intervention and so on, but I will not give up on that debate, whether Health Minister or not, because I think it is the right thing to do. But politically, everyone is in different places.” A number of exhaustive studies have shown that fluoridation of the water supply has a significant effect on preventing tooth decay, but it has also been associated with cancer, brittle bone disease and Alzheimer’s disease. Former Health Minister Susan Deacon said she strongly supported the introduction of fluoridation. “The evidence is overwhelming that it [fluoridation] is one of the most effective public health interventions there is. Every health professional and body said to me you should pursue this and there is no shortage of evidence of how effective it is.” However, Deacon warned that wellorganised anti-fluoridation campaigns are capable of having an influence on consultations or public debates greater than their numbers: “It is a reminder about the need not to listen to the loudest voices.” The SNP said it is “sceptical about the benefits of fluoridation of Scottish water”. Read the full interview ...

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