Fluoridation of water ‘not even an issue’, Timaru dentist says

Timaru dentist Dr Mark Goodhew says listening to conspiracy theories surrounding fluoridation of drinking water was very disappointing. A Timaru dentist believes fluoridation of drinking water is an issue that should not even be up for debate in New Zealand. Last week, the National Party delivered its health discussion document to Parliament in which it […]

From Mount Vesuvius to White Island: Volcanic eruptions throughout history

By Press Association The deadly eruption of a volcano in New Zealand’s Bay of Plenty on Monday left six people confirmed dead and dozens of visitors to the island injured. A famed tourist attraction, the White Island volcano is one of several in New Zealand and thousands that encircle the Pacific. Most lie far from […]

Formula-fed babies in fluoridated towns suffer 7 IQ loss

In the first 3 years of life children lose 4.4 IQ points for every 0.5 mg fluoride added to their drinking water if they are formula-fed rather than breast-fed. This is the finding of a particularly well-conducted study from Canada just published in the prestigious journal Environment International. Babies exclusively breast-fed for the first 6 […]

Dentists continue to ignore fluoride’s effect on the brain

It is hard to believe that the NZ Dental Association is still calling for the Fluoridation (Health Amendment) Bill, a.k.a the Mandatory Fluoridation Bill, to be passed despite a bombshell study (Green et al) published in one of the world’s top medical journals this year, JAMA Pediatrics. The study found that fluoridated water was associated […]

New Zealand plans to phase out PFAS in firefighting foams

Five-year transition period proposed New Zealand’s EPA is consulting on plans to phase out the use of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in firefighting foam. The EPA considers that “these types of foams can be phased out as there are fluorine-free alternatives to PFAS firefighting foams now available that are already being used worldwide,” it […]

Disappointment and concern over lack of progress passing fluoride bill

More people will suffer from tooth decay because of a lack of progress passing a bill around fluoride decision-making, a former politician says. The New Zealand Dental Association has also expressed concern at the lengthy process to pass the bill, which will empower district health boards (DHBs) to decide if fluoride should be added to drinking […]

Northland’s new mobile dental unit hits the road to save teeth

Northland DHB’s latest mobile dental unit (MDU) was officially named Kotare and is ready to hit the road. The Northland DHB’s new mobile dental unit was blessed, officially named Kotare, last week, and is now ready to go to work. The blessing was facilitated by NDHB kaumatua Te Ihi Tito and his team, who acknowledged […]

Climate change Bill keeps MPs on their toes

As any MP will tell you, you only have to say one word on, say, 1080 or water fluoridation and your email inbox will clog up within minutes. Climate change is another one of those push-button issues where vested interests are ready and waiting to litigate the point. Two local MPs know this better than […]

Southern District Health Board hopefuls ranked by health society

Candidates for the Southern District Health Board have received a ranking from the Public Health Association on how they best meet its values. Following a survey of the 17 candidates for the board, the association rated them on four key PHA values: pro-fluoridation, prevention focus, equity, and knowledge and experience. Business owner Shanon Arnold and […]