This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
News


| Word of mouth p19 | Hidden values p22


RCSI fluoride warning R


After recent votes against fluoridation, Dr John Walsh says that banning fluoride would be a ‘big health risk’


emoving fluoride from public water systems would seri- ously harm the dental health of the children in Ireland, according to RCSI dental dean


Dr John Walsh. Both Dublin and Cork City Councils


have voted to ban fluoride from the water supply in recent months, with the express intention of placing pressure on the government. Speaking at the RCSI’s annual scientific meeting, Dr Walsh said removal of fluoride could significantly increase the risk of tooth decay among children. He said: “All of the robust scientific data demonstrates that fluoridation protects against tooth decay. Studies of children’s oral health consistently showed that those living in areas with fluoridated water had 18 per cent less tooth decay than those living in non-fluoridated areas. “To ignore this evidence is taking a big


health risk. Parents of children must also take responsibility for oral hygiene. Irish dental surgeries are brimming with chil- dren under seven who are already showing signs of irreparable tooth decay from over consumption of sugar sweetened drink and treats.” However, Owen Boyden, director of


the West Cork Fluoride Free Campaign, said: “Dublin City Council passing an anti- fluoride motion puts the Irish Government under renewed political pressure to end their isolated and dangerous mandatory public water fluoridation policy which results in the medication without consent of the entire Irish population and continues to cause widespread cosmetic damage (fluorosis) to thousands of people around the country. “Not one other European Government


maintain a similar policy due to health, environmental, legal or ethical concerns. Violating human rights to consent before


Travelling 80km for treatment


CRITICISM


The HSE is effectively placing “a gun to the head” of the parents of orthodontic patients by sending them from Dublin to Dundalk to receive treatment. Labour TD Sean Kenny


brought up the situation in his constituency during a debate in the Dail explaining that patients are being asked to travel around 80km or risk not receiving treatment. He said: “Recently, parents


of children in my constitu- ency, who are on orthodontic waiting lists for treatment at the Ashtown Gate Dental Clinic on the Navan Road, have been notified that they should transfer to the waiting list at Louth County Hospital’s orthodontic clinic in Dundalk. This would involve consider-


8 Ireland’s Dental magazine


able travel costs for parents and children, particularly as treatment can involve several return visits to the dental clinic. “The tone of the letter


concerned was effectively putting ‘a gun to their head’, in saying that they must either go to Dundalk, or face not receiving orthodontic treat- ment for their child.” A spokesman for the


Department of Health said: “The HSE has confirmed to the Minister that, typically, patients are offered appoint- ments within four months in Dundalk or Navan. The current waiting time in Ashtown Gate is at least one year. “The HSE is also exploring


other options, including the option of staff travelling to other sites to alleviate the travel burden for patients.”


medication, bodily integrity and breaching European food and medicinal product directives, the policy continues to adversely effect public health in Ireland and poses one the biggest threats to our very valu- able food and drinks industry the country has ever seen.”


Belfast-based lecturer wins Schottlander prize


AWARD


Former University College Cork lecturer Dr Gerry McKenna has been awarded the prestigious British Society of Prosthodontics Schottlander Oral Prize.


Gerry, who has recently been appointed senior clinical lecturer and honorary consultant in restorative dentistry at Queen’s University Belfast, received the award at a dinner held at the Royal Society of Medicine in London. The winning paper was entitled ‘Tooth replacement for partially dentate older patients: a cost effectiveness analysis’ and was co-authored by Professor Finbarr Allen, Dr Noel Woods and Dr Michael Cronin from UCC. It analysed the cost effectiveness of the RPD and SDA concepts and their application in the treatment of older patients.


Gerry with Dr Brian Schottlander and Dr Brendan Scott.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52