TV3 has had to cancel a fluoridation debate scheduled for its Firstline programme Monday morning because no one from the pro fluoridation side will appear live. The fluoridation issue was to be discussed live with visiting world expert, Prof Paul Connett and a representative from the Ministry of Health, instead 35 seconds was given to Prof Connett and 3 – 4 minutes of Otago dental researcher Jonathan Broadbent. It is highly disturbing that Jonathon Broadbent and Co suddenly lose confidence in their pro-fluoridation position when they have to justify it in front of an expert rather than preach it unchallenged to the lay public.

This should ring alarm bells with people all around New Zealand. How is it that these health officials can advocate a highly toxic chemical be added to the drinking water of over 2 million people (only half of NZ is fluoridated) and then go into hiding when confronted with difficult questions and professional discussion?

Of course the NFIS, Ministry of Health and the NZ Dental Association cannot answer the difficult questions – they do not want New Zealanders finding out the facts. As the Waikato DHB stated in a recent press release, they would prefer to “bombard” social media etc with the message “Fluoride is safe.” What is worse, they know full well that as paid employees of the tax payers of New Zealand, it is their responsibility to provide people with real, factual information , not a storm of brainwashing PR slogans , when councils and communities wish to find out more.

Balanced discussion is required on the issue of fluoridation.. When that occurs the opponents of fluoridation win because the science is on their side. The evidence that swallowing fluoride reduces tooth decay is very weak and the evidence that there are unacceptable health risks is growing daily. This is what professor Connett has come to NZ to talk about.

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