Fluoride plan in school milk moves closer

Gareth Vickers blackpoolgazette.co.uk Special plans to introduce fluoridised milk into Blackpool’s primary schools moved one step closer after the scheme was backed by health chiefs. At a meeting of Blackpool Council’s Health and Wellbeing board yesterday it was resoundingly agreed to push forward plans to provide milk to 77 primary schools in the town. Dr Arif Rajpura, Blackpool’s director of public health said: “Ideally we would like fluoridised water to be provided so that everyone has access to it, but that seems to be off the cards at the moment, with cost being an issue. “The next best thing is milk fluoridisation. “Fluoride is found in toothpaste and works to a degree on the teeth, but is soon washed off. “But fluoride which is ingested can be continually secreted in the mouth through saliva. “Some people have raised concerns about fluorosis, which leads to a mottling of the teeth, but the fluoridisation of milk is very safe. “This is a no brainer from my perspective. “We have an opportunity to give kids the best chance in life, through the free breakfasts, free milk and now fluoridised milk.” Despite some board members raising concerns the plans could see milk being forced on children whose parents say neither yes or no to the allowance, it was agreed to provide clear information on the benefits of fluoridised milk to allow for an informed decision. to read more click here: blackpoolgazette.co.uk