Agenda item

The Committee received a report of the Deputy Director of Public Health, County Durham and Public Health Strategic Manager, which provided an update on the progress which was being made with the County Durham oral health strategy and an overview of activity to tackle oral health inequalities across County Durham (for copy see file of minutes).

Councillor Brown was formerly employed in a role with direct care of adults with mental health issues and she referred to the difficulties with regards to oral health.  She advised that some people were terrified of going to see a dentist, yet she had enquired as to whether anyone could visit the premises to discuss oral health with patients, to no avail.  The Deputy Director of Public Health confirmed that CDDFT had a Specialist Dental Service providing dental care for children and adults with treatment needs that could be met by a general dental practitioner, andan Oral Health Promotion team which provided training and education in oral care to health care professionals.

Councillor Bell was sceptical with regards to fluoridated water and queried whether any research had been done with regards to what children were drinking as many drank bottled water or soft drinks.  The Deputy Director of Public Health confirmed that there were huge disparities in oral health across the County, associated with areas of deprivation and it was those who would benefit most from fluoridated water.

Councillor Crute confirmed that the Oral Health Strategy had proven benefits of fluoridated water with evidence-based research.  There were also benefits associated which could offset the cost of poor oral health in children.

The Deputy Director of Public Health confirmed that every four years a review was undertaken by Public Health England and water fluoridation caused no harm to health, only benefits.  It had also been recognised that there was a huge financial benefit - after 10 years there would be a £21 return, whereas toothbrush schemes only had a return of £3.

Councillor Temple welcomed the debate on water fluoridation but having lived in an area that had benefitted for a number of years, there had been extensive research proving oral health benefits – it had been in every oral health report over the years, and it was time to press on with introducing the scheme to the rest of the County.

The Principal Overview and Scrutiny Officer confirmed that a further joint meeting would be held with Environment and Sustainable Communities and Children and Young Peoples Overview and Scrutiny Committees, later in the year to debate water fluoridation.

Resolved:

That the report be noted and a further joint meeting to review oral health be held late December 2019/early January 2020.