Anti-fluoride campaigners to address Cairns Regional Council at next week’s ordinary meeting

A longstanding critic of fluoridating Cairns’ water supply will present her arguments to the city’s councillors in a deputation next week with a key councillor revealing his stance on the issue.

Former Cairns councillor, Annette Sheppard, pictured in 2009 with Dr Sue Cory, has campaigned against water fluoridation for more than two decades.

A longstanding critic of fluoridating Cairns’ water supply will present her arguments to the city’s councillors in a deputation next week.

But leading health experts maintain the tooth-strengthening chemical is a safe and effective way of improving oral health.

Former nurse and councillor, Annette Sheppard, who led strong resistance to the public health measure during former mayor Kevin Byrne’s tenure in the early 2000s, will present prior to Wednesday’s ordinary meeting.

Ms Sheppard challenged the late Kevin Byrne during his his time as mayor on the issue of water fluoridation. Picture: Brendan Radke

Ms Sheppard, who has post-graduate qualifications in primary healthcare and clinical nutrition, will be delivering her remarks as a private citizen, alongside fellow anti-fluoride advocate Zane Cosgrove.

The FNQ Volunteers president said pro-fluoride groups had based their facts on outdated information and used flawed research to support their claims.

“It’s something that I’ve strongly believed in for many years,” she said.

“The science underpinning the idea that it’s a good thing to put in the water is old science, wasn’t well done and has been superseded by newer more scientifically validated research.”

Dr Steve Salleras is one of three doctors from the Cairns GP Group that delivered a deputation to Cairns councillors on the importance of water fluoridation in the city's water supply. Picture: Brendan Radke

Last month, a packed public gallery heard three doctors state pro-fluoride arguments to the council with multiple security guards stationed inside the chambers.

“This is a nutrient, not a drug,” Dr Salleras told around 70 attendees.

“Areas like Kowanyama and Julia Creek already have much higher (naturally occurring) levels of fluoride in their water than we would be advocating for in the Cairns water supply.

“Fluoride tablets don’t work. The Australian Dental Association does not recommend them as an alternative to fluoride supplemented drinking water.”

Cairns deputy mayor Brett Olds said he was fundamentally opposed to fluoridating Cairns’ water supply.

“My issue is with force medicating people,” Mr Olds said. “For me, it’s a really easy decision. I’m not a doctor and I’m against mass medicating people against their will.

“I’m not going to vote for that. If Queensland Health wants to put it in, that’s on them. I just don’t see that as my role as a councillor.”

Chief Health Officer Dr John Gerrard, has chosen not to meet with Cairns Regional Council regarding water fluoridation. Picture: Liam Kidston

Outgoing chief medical officer, Dr John Gerrard, cancelled his meeting with Cairns councillors to discuss water fluoridation at late notice earlier this week.

Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service (CHHHS) chief executive, Leena Singh, has publicly backed water fluoridation to improve oral health in the region.

Globally, more than 150 major health organisations world-wide including the World Health Organization, the Australian Medical Association (AMA), and the Australian Dental Association (ADA) support water fluoridation.

The council declined a recent invitation to speak with CHHHS health experts regarding water fluoridation.

Originally published as Anti-fluoride campaigners to address Cairns Regional Council at next week’s ordinary meeting