Health service drills Far North council after knocking back water fluoridation meeting

Cairns Regional Council has refused to meet with Far North health experts regarding the fluoridation of its water supply as exclusive figures reveal the alarming state of decay in our kids’ dental records.

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

Cairns Regional Council has refused to meet with health experts regarding the fluoridation of its water supply as exclusive figures reveal the alarming state of decay in our kids’ dental records.

Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service (CHHHS) chief executive Leena Singh invited mayor Amy Eden and councillors to meet with clinicians to discuss the health benefits of water fluoridation recently.

But it’s understood Ms Eden declined the health boss’ offer in a letter sent to her this week.

Cairns Mayor Amy Eden has turned down an offer to meet with health experts on water fluoridation. Picture: Brendan Radke

According to CHHHS, 156 children under the age of 15 received dental treatment under general anaesthetic during 2023/24.

The figure reflects a more than 34 per cent spike on the year before and a 56 per cent jump on 2021/22’s numbers.

“It is disappointing that we will be unable to directly discuss the health benefits of water fluoridation to Cairns councillors,” Ms Singh said.

“Tooth decay is having a serious impact on the oral health and, more broadly, the general health of hundreds of people around our region.

“It is costly to the community and our health system and can lead to chronic conditions, such as heart disease, later in life.”

In a statement, a council spokesman failed to provide an answer as to why the meeting with CHHHS officials was knocked back.

“At this time, there is a formal deputation from Cairns GP Group comprising local doctors, who are scheduled to attend the Council’s Ordinary Meeting next week to present their views on water fluoridation,” he said.

“Additionally, the office of the CEO has reached out to Dr John Gerrard, Chief Health Officer for Queensland, to discuss his position on water fluoridation in light of recent results from Our Cairns Survey.”

In Queensland, 20,774 potentially preventable hospitalisations due to dental conditions were recorded in 2022/23.

During that time, CHHHS tallied 373 cases and 379 in 2023/24.

Ms Singh said CHHHS remained committed to improving oral health in the region.

“A strong relationship with local government is key to the success of any public health measure,” she said.

Increased tooth decay also placed additional pressure on hospitals and clinics in the region, CHHHS director of oral health Dr Harry Robertson said.

“There is a significant burden of oral health disease in the Cairns and Hinterland region which can have a serious impact on general health,” Dr Robertson said.

Major water fluoridation legislation was introduced in Queensland in 2008 making it mandatory to add fluoride to all water supplies serving more than 1000 people.

But in 2012, the legislation was changed permitting local governments to decide whether or not to fluoridate their town water supplies under then premier Campbell Newman.

Asked whether the increase in potentially preventable hospitalisations was a concern, the council’s spokesman said: “Council does not comment on health matters”.

In September, Cairns GP Dr Katie Williams told the Cairns Post of an instance where a primary school child recently underwent a “full dental clearance” in which all of their teeth were removed during a procedure.

Global health experts overwhelmingly support water fluoridation as a means to improve oral health, making teeth more resistant to decay, fighting bacteria and preventing other chronic conditions later in life.

Originally published as Health service drills Far North council after knocking back water fluoridation meeting