Fluoride

[AcousticallyChallenged]

8 minutes ago, Cambon said:

More than you think. They got away with mass medicating the public with the vaccine. Looks like they want to push their luck. What next? Statins? Warfarin? Birth control drugs? 

Next, they might be giving us jabs against measles, or diphtheria.

Heaven forbid they offer us paracetamol.

Edited May 17, 2023 by AcousticallyChallenged

[Lxxx]

12 hours ago, Cambon said:

More than you think. They got away with mass medicating the public with the vaccine. Looks like they want to push their luck. What next? Statins? Warfarin? Birth control drugs? 

Looks like we're being dragged by the nose by UK Health again. If they want to dump even more chemicals into the UK water supply then that's fine, but we're okay as we are thanks. 

[hampsterkahn]

The issue that should be focussed on is the very high level of childhood dental decay on the Island - look up the figures - and how to improve it.

This is not just a matter of cosmetics, severe cases cause pain and distress and no child should have to be admitted to hospital to have several rotten teeth removed under general anaesthetic which is what is happening now.

Fluoridation is a contentious issue as it seen by some as the state v the individual and mass medication but by others as  something  that works.

It has been  be kicked around for  decades eleswherec and it now  it will be here  - ad nauseam.

It is but one answer to a problem.

That underlying problem is one that many simply don’t want to hear about  and the answer certainly isn't going win  anyone any votes.

That is saying to parents : This issue is down to you ;it is your   responsibility, not the schools, not the health service - if your child has rotten first dentition you cannot blame others - this one is down to you.

Sugary drinks, constant comfort snacking,  pacifying with treats  rather paying attention to your  child .

Many children do not even have a tooth brush.

In the absence of a change in parental attitude and behaviour, which is a social education issue, flouride as a second best would at least help those children.

Edited May 18, 2023 by hampsterkahn

[Lxxx]

A much simpler and less expensive option would be to make every child bring in a toothbrush and toothpaste and make then brush their teeth once they come into school and before they go home. 5 minutes in the morning 5 minutes in the afternoon. Zero cost to government, instil a good habit into their developing brains and make an actual verifiable difference to the health of children's mouths.

[wrighty]

1 minute ago, Lxxx said:

A much simpler and less expensive option would be to make every child bring in a toothbrush and toothpaste and make then brush their teeth once they come into school and before they go home. 5 minutes in the morning 5 minutes in the afternoon. Zero cost to government, instil a good habit into their developing brains and make an actual verifiable difference to the health of children's mouths.

I like this idea, but to some it would lead to more accusations of nanny state intervention. Remember when Jamie Oliver tried to improve school meals, and some feckless parents responded by shoving MacDonald’s ‘meals’ through the school fence?

[Lxxx]

5 minutes ago, wrighty said:

I like this idea, but to some it would lead to more accusations of nanny state intervention. Remember when Jamie Oliver tried to improve school meals, and some feckless parents responded by shoving MacDonald’s ‘meals’ through the school fence?

True. However you'll never fully educate the under class, they exist in another parallel universe. We can only give the option and it's a sensible one to try.  

[Jarndyce]

45 minutes ago, Lxxx said:

you'll never fully educate the under class, they exist in another parallel universe.

Please define “underclass” in the context of your comment.

[Happier diner]

1 hour ago, Lxxx said:

A much simpler and less expensive option would be to make every child bring in a toothbrush and toothpaste and make then brush their teeth once they come into school and before they go home. 5 minutes in the morning 5 minutes in the afternoon. Zero cost to government, instil a good habit into their developing brains and make an actual verifiable difference to the health of children's mouths.

Its a good idea. But what if the poor buggers' parents won't buy them a toothbrush and toothpaste

[hampsterkahn]

There are ways of improving parental awareness about this problem without  stigmatizing or alienating people or descending into social stereotyping  but it isn’t an easy path ; it isn’t glamorous  for politicians there are no opening ceremonies, plaque - but not the sort of plaque they like to be seen unveiling.

Tooth  brushes can not compete with the  high - tec appeal of scanners and expensive equipment.

It is not so much that many children do not use  a tooth brush it is that they do not have  a tooth brush to use!

A coalition project  with tooth paste and brush manufacturers, health, and education might be an approach  but would offend some because of the relationship with business.

Properly organised it could cost very little and  such things already exist, I understand.

Unfortunately, when Gov. is pressed into action, they tend to go for the most expensive and most  “noticeable” options   - cue construction of a new “Department of Community Dental Education, Liaison and Integrated Care “or some such  monster with Community Dental Education Care Liaison “Officers”   , Deputies  , admin  services and assistants.

 

[Happier diner]

2 minutes ago, hampsterkahn said:

There are ways of improving parental awareness about this problem without  stigmatizing or alienating people or descending into social stereotyping  but it isn’t an easy path ; it isn’t glamorous  for politicians there are no opening ceremonies, plaque - but not the sort of plaque they like to be seen unveiling.

Tooth  brushes can not compete with the  high - tec appeal of scanners and expensive equipment.

It is not so much that many children do not use  a tooth brush it is that they do not have  a tooth brush to use!

A coalition project  with tooth paste and brush manufacturers, health, and education might be an approach  but would offend some because of the relationship with business.

Properly organised it could cost very little and  such things already exist, I understand.

Unfortunately, when Gov. is pressed into action, they tend to go for the most expensive and most  “noticeable” options   - cue construction of a new “Department of Community Dental Education, Liaison and Integrated Care “or some such  monster with Community Dental Education Care Liaison “Officers”   , Deputies  , admin  services and assistants.

 

I agree with what you are saying and I agree it would be a good start. The fact will always remain though that some parents are scumbags regardless of their social status. Its their children that Fluoride can target I suppose. 

It wouldn't cost much to give very child a toothbrush and have a toothbrush dispenser in the class. But is it going to happen? 

What about something like this

https://www.drugs.com/cdi/pediatric-multivitamin-chewables-with-fluoride.html

[Roger Mexico]

3 minutes ago, Happier diner said:

Its a good idea. But what if the poor buggers' parents won't buy them a toothbrush and toothpaste

Then teachers quietly arrange for them to be given one.  There will usually be some sort of welfare fund (and I think the Foodbank also do toiletries).

To be honest this sort of thing has always gone on in schools.  The number of kids involved is always pretty small, which doesn't make their plight any less.

[WTF]

7 hours ago, Lxxx said:

True. However you'll never fully educate the under class, they exist in another parallel universe. We can only give the option and it's a sensible one to try.  

if you think the state wants educated citizens you must be in need of help.

[woolley]

14 minutes ago, WTF said:

if you think the state wants educated citizens you must be in need of help.

They need to be educated sufficiently to follow orders and work for their keep. No good having them wandering around useless like feral goats.

[hissingsid]

I only caught a bit of this on MR news but I thought that Tynwald voted to investigate the introduction of fluoride but Leg.Co. didn’t so they are having another vote with a combined vote.    Did I hear this correctly ?   

 

 

 

[Thrax]

LegCo will have it right. Just look up the great work they've done in this administration and you will agree with me.