Following on from reports last week that dentist were seeing “Third-World” levels of decay in children’s teeth in Northern NSW, Lismore Council has this week changed its position on fluoride. Following a three-hour debate watched closely by a packed-public gallery, the council voted six to five in favour of a rescission motion, which reversed their decision last month to abandon plans for fluoridation of the water supply.
Councillor Neil Marks acknowledged the passionate feelings expressed on both the scientific and non-scientific sides of the debate, and said the council needed to “bring some understanding to the community as to why (they) have taken this decision”.
The debate was informed and supported by a number of local doctors and dentists who explained the science backing up fluoridation.
Mayor Jenny Dowell said the move brings back a 2006 council decision.
“We revert to the decision of 2006 where the council of that time supported the addition of fluoride so we’re back on track for fluoride to be added to the water,” Councillor Dowell said.
She told local media the medical advice may have swayed the vote but there were other factors.
“I’m sure that influenced councillors but one of the councillors who had been overseas was back in the chamber so that was an additional support vote for fluoride but also another councillor who voted last month has since changed his decision so they’re the kinds of things that made the result different,” she said.
