Cairns councillors urge mayor to brush up on water fluoridation after health boss snubbing

A Far North mayor’s decision to meet with the chief health officer rather than community health experts on water fluoridation has backfired – with the outgoing Dr John Gerrard cancelling his meeting at late notice.

Samuel Davis

2 min read

November 13, 2024 - 5:00AM

The Cairns Post

Cairns Mayor Amy Eden speaks to the media at the Cairns Hospital on Tuesday, November 12, 2024. Picture: Brendan Radke

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But Queensland Health has scrambled to fill the vacancy with the state’s chief dental officer, Dr Ben Stute offered in his place.

Dr Gerrard, who announced his resignation last week, was scheduled to meet with Cairns Regional Council to discuss the public health measure on Tuesday morning.

The scheduled sit-down had prompted mayor Amy Eden to decline an offer for further consultation on the subject with Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service experts earlier this month.

Queensland’s Chief Health Officer Dr John Gerrard has quit. Picture: Liam Kidston

But less than 24 hours before the meeting, councillors received a notification on their work calendars that their appointment with Dr Gerrard had been cancelled.

“I’m just worried that issue will fizzle away and we, as councillors, won’t be able to make a decision based on the best public health information,” Division 5 councillor Rob Pyne said.

Asked on Monday morning about the value of meeting with Dr Gerrard just weeks before he quits, Ms Eden defended the decision.

“We have made an invitation to the chief health officer who is the lead expert for state health,” Ms Eden said.

“At this point in time we have a meeting scheduled.”

Asked if she was aware that the CHO had resigned, Ms Eden said: “Yes, I know that.”

An unidentified young oral health patient from Far North Queensland who recently required surgery due to tooth decay. Picture: Supplied

The snub follows CHHHS releasing exclusive data to the Cairns Post on the shocking state of decay in our kids’ teeth earlier this month.

The figures revealed a 56 per cent spike in the number of children under the age of 15 who have received dental treatment under general anaesthetic in the region over the last two years.

But Ms Eden said a recent 10-minute deputation from the Cairns GP Group on the benefits of water fluoridation had armed councillors with information on the subject.

“They are experts in general practice and spoke about their dentistry knowledge,” she said.

“It’s really important for us to speak to the people that can make meaningful change and that’s what we want to do.”

Division 7 councillor Anna Middleton said she welcomed any future meetings with health experts.

“Councillors are hoping to get more informed and better understand the position councils have ended up because of the state enforced changes to legislation,” she said.

“I think there is a genuine desire amongst councillors to be well-informed on this subject.”

Queensland Opposition Leader David Crisafulli speaks to the media in Cairns. Picture: Brendan Radke

While visiting Cairns last week, Premier David Crisafulli reinforced that water fluoridation was a council decision.

“Local governments are in charge of water supply and local governments are able to have those discussions,” the former Townsville councillor said.

“If you’re asking my view on fluoridation of water, I was involved in a council that had fluoride in the water for well over half a century.”

In 2012, then premier Campbell Newman gave councils the power to opt out of mandatory fluoridation, with CRC later removing the tooth-strengthening chemical from its water supply.

The equipment used to fluoridate Cairns’ water supply at Copperlode Dam was dismantled in 2013.

It’s understood that Dr Gerrard stood up the council to attend another commitment.