Water Fluoridation
Community water fluoridation expansion in the north east of England
Health partners nationally and regionally have welcomed a UK-wide Government consultation to expand water fluoridation in the North East to reduce tooth decay and its impacts.
On Monday 25th March 2024 the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) launched a 12-week consultation on expanding water fluoridation in the North East to reduce tooth decay and its impacts.
The Health and Care Act 2022 gave the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care the power to introduce water fluoridation schemes subject to consultation. The purpose is to expand water fluoridation to a further 1.6 million people in the region.
The consultation seeks views from the public on the proposal, specifically:
- The extent to which people agree or disagree with the proposal to expand water fluoridation.
- Submitting any scientific evidence for DHSC to consider in their final impact assessment.
The government has the power to introduce water fluoridation schemes subject to consultation. This consultation is a chance to provide more detail on the proposal, the areas affected and give people the opportunity to respond to it. The responses received will inform final decision making by the Secretary of State.
We are urging partners to support and respond to the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) consultation on expanding water fluoridation in the North East.