A number of Cornwall councillors have spoken of their struggle with the philosophical and ethical issue of the government adding fluoride to the Duchy’s drinking water.

The issue split a health committee which met on Wednesday to discuss starting the process of adding the chemical compound to the water system.

In England and Wales, less than ten per cent of the population have fluoride added to their water, but Cornwall Council believes it is now necessary to help tackle the worsening levels of tooth decay among Cornwall’s children, particularly those in deprived areas, and due to the increasing lack of NHS dentists in the county.

The council’s health and adult social care overview and scrutiny committee was asked to support a motion passed by full council in April for South West Water to start the fluoridation of the water supply.

Councillors discussed whether to support the leader of the council, Linda Taylor, writing to Wes Streeting, the secretary of state for health, to start a consultation process with a view to initiating the fluoridation of the water supply in Cornwall.

There is some controversy concerning the process, with some arguing that it can lead to health and IQ problems, despite health professionals – including the four chief medical officers in the UK – stating it is healthy and safe.

In August, America’s National Toxicology Program released a review suggesting a link between fluoride exposure above 1.5mg of fluoride per litre of water and lower IQ in children. However, experts have pointed out that there is a lack of high quality research on the topic.

The meeting started with chairman Councillor John Bastin warning: “Clearly there are different views on this, but we must respect each others’ views.”

The council’s consultant in public health said there is reduction in tooth decay among five-year-olds in the ten per cent of the population that has a fluoridated water supply, with adults tending to retain more of their teeth than those living in areas where the water is not fluoridated.

He raised the issue of fluorosis, which leaves flecking on the teeth. “It’s more of a cosmetic thing than it being an oral health danger to any resident as they grow older.”

He added that since the 1950s, 6.1 million people have been using fluoridated water and “if there had been serious health issues, such as gum disease or effects on IQ, surely we would see that evidence by now.”

Cllr Loveday Jenkin asked if there was any evidence on any health impacts on the milk supply if cows drank fluoridated water.

She was told there was not, to which she replied: “The absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. A lot of people extolled the health benefits of going down the radon rich mines in the past. I still have concerns when there is no evidence and no published research.”

The council’s consultant said of the comparison to radon: “There was evidence there that came to light after time. I accept that your sceptical about it, but the science just isn’t there [to oppose fluoridation].”

Cllr Nicky Chopak said she had carried out a straw poll among people: “I have to say the response I’ve had, though it was limited numbers, is very much 50-50. Some people want the choice, while others think it’s a brilliant idea and said why aren’t we doing it?

“If I was someone who struggled to afford very good toothpaste and a new toothbrush on a regular basis and I knew that fluoride was in the water, would I be thinking ‘well, I don’t need to worry about my little Johnny’s teeth because he’s going to be drinking a glass of water today’. There’s a bit of a mindset thing selling it to everyone that this is in addition not instead of.”

Cllr Andy Virr, portfolio holder for health, believed it is “absolutely the right thing we should be doing in Cornwall – it’s very powerful that the combined chief medical officers for the United Kingdom have got behind this”.

Cllr John Tivnan questioned the ethics: “This is an imposition and that’s my stumbling block. I’m all in favour of anything that helps humans, but it is the individual’s decision and that’s being taken away from us and I’m a little bit concerned – where do we go next? What can we bring in as a state, saying ‘this is what you WILL have’ not voluntarily.

“I’m just a bit concerned where this will lead.”

“How do you feel about folic acid?” asked the consultant. “Because most bread has folic acid added to it for development. It’s not for me to talk about the philosophical aspects of mass health programmes or the slippery slope of where we go next. For me, what’s next is hopefully seeing a reduction in tooth decay in young people.”

Cllr Virr argued that it was the right thing to do ethically because the people who will benefit most are members of society “who have less choice because of their poverty. You may think this is a nanny state intervention, but there is a role for state intervention. The sugar tax on fizzy drinks has made a big impact on dental caries [decay] already”.

Cllr Jennifer Cruse said she “philosophically definitely struggles with this”. She added: “I’ve spoken to quite a few of my residents – there wasn’t one who wanted it.”

She believes money and resources should be going into schools, teaching children about brushing their teeth. “What we may decide will be taking away the choice of the adults.”

Cllr Jenkin said she could not support the recommendation. “I don’t think we should be spending a lot of taxpayers’ money on a consultation process at this stage. I would far rather that money was spent on other things and I don’t have a lot of confidence about South West Water (SWW) being instructed on anything. That maybe my personal bias against SWW.

“We have huge challenges in Cornwall – we have huge challenges in dentistry, but I don’t think this is the golden bullet it is being presented as.”

There was no seconder for a recommendation for the committee to “support the advocacy of the council to fluoridate the water supply in Cornwall”, so the motion fell.

However, a second recommendation for the committee to support the leader of the council writing to the secretary of state to commence the process of consultation was carried. Cllr Virr welcomed the move.

It means the public should be asked for its views before any decision is made.  

The meeting heard that any cost related to adding fluoride to Cornwall’s water would be borne by the Department of Health and not SWW or Cornish taxpayers.