Blackpool’s public health director has renewed calls for adding fluoride to the town’s drinking water amid troubling tooth decay rates among children. Nearly a third of five-year-olds in Blackpool suffer from tooth decay, with less than one-third receiving NHS dental care in 2021.
Dr. Arif Rajpura highlighted the need for a water fluoridation program, despite current provisions of fluoridated milk in schools. He stressed that water fluoridation is essential for reducing tooth decay, as supported by NHS findings from other regions.
Dr. Rajpura also endorsed recent King’s Speech policies, including junk food advertising bans and measures on smoking and vaping. He praised the sugar tax’s impact on reducing tooth extractions and called for further actions, such as banning “buy one, get one free” promotions.
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