Kapiti Coast residents are being urged by a group of dental health professionals to resist a council proposal to stop fluoridating water supplies. Under its 2010/11 draft plan process, the council is consulting on the proposal, with public submissions closing at 5pm today.

The residents were requested to make submissions opposing the proposal, by the New Zealand School and Community Oral Health Services Society, yesterday. Dr. Neil Croucher, the Spokesperson for the society revealed that the council should confirm the persistence of fluoridation of the water supplies to Waikanae, Paraparaumu and Raumati and the areas which are not fluoridated like Otaki and Paekakariki, should be taken into consideration.

Croucher further shared that the children living within the Waikanae, Paraparaumu and Raumati reticulated water supply areas will experience an increased risk of tooth decay, if fluoride is removed from the water.

The most useful, practical and protected means of reducing and controlling the prevalence and severity of dental rot in a community is water fluoridation.

Mayor Jenny Rowan said, “The council is aware there are arguments for and against the addition of fluoride to the water supply and it seems reasonable to gauge the community's views on the matter at the same time as we are consulting on our plans for 2010/2011”.