December 11, 2016
Mahuta attacks fluoride poll
Labour’s Whanau Ora spokesperson Nanaia Mahuta says the Maori Party is confusing people on fluoridation.
The party has posted an online poll asking people’s views on a bill which makes district health boards rather than local councils responsible for deciding whether water supplies should be fluoridated.
Ms Mahuta says the petition wrongly claims it will lead to automatic fluoridation and takes the decision away from communities.
She says more than 6000 children a year end up in hospital because of tooth decay,
Public health experts says there is 40 percent less dental decay in children with access to fluoridated water.
Ms Mahuta says the proposed bill will lead to evidence based decision-making and better health outcomes for tamariki.
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