From: "Lisa Lowe" <[email address]>
Sent: Wed, 22 Dec 2021 09:02:28 +1300
To: "T1Connect" <[email address]>
Subject: Dr Ashley Bloomfield - Planning for community water fluoridation
Attachments: Letter Neil - signed.pdf, Letter to local authority CEs.pdf
#ecmbody
#silent
#noresponse
From: Ashley Bloomfield [mailto:[email address]]
Sent: Thursday, 16 December 2021 2:40 PM
To: Neil Holdom
Subject: Action Required – Planning for community water fluoridation
Kia ora Neil,
Following your recent phone call with Deborah Woodley, Deputy Director-General Population Health
and Prevention, I have attached a letter to formally update you on community water fluoridation and
the benefits it will have on your community. Please note, the Ministry of Health has asked for
information from your local authority to assist with planning for fluoridation, which is due on
11 March
2022.
Ngā mihi nui
Ashley
Dr Ashley Bloomfield
Te Tumu Whakarae mō te Hauora
Director-General of Health
Pronoun:He/Him
emai
l: [email address]
www.health.govt.nz
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Document Set ID: 8690871
Version: 1, Version Date: 22/12/2021
133 Molesworth Street
PO Box 5013
Wellington 6140
New Zealand
T+64 4 496 2000
15 December 2021
Neil Holdom
Mayor of New Plymouth
New Plymouth District Council
Private Bag 2025
New Plymouth
Tēnā koe Neil
I am writing to let you know that the Health (Fluoridation of Drinking Water) Amendment
Act 2021 (the Act) came into force on 13 December 2021, and to encourage you and
your colleagues to take positive action in light of this development. The new legislation
amends the Health Act 1956 to give the Director-General of Health the power to issue a
direction to local authority water suppliers (including bulk water suppliers) to fluoridate a
public drinking water supply.
The Ministry’s records indicate that the water supply in your local authority is un-
fluoridated and serves a large community. Community water fluoridation has been
endorsed by the World Health Organization and other international health authorities as
the most effective health measure for the prevention of dental decay. Good oral health
is essential to achieving and maintaining the overall health and wellbeing of the
community you serve.
Community water fluoridation is an effective, safe and affordable public health measure
to improve the oral health of all New Zealanders. It is also estimated that introducing
community water fluoridation to all public drinking water supplies across the country
would result in net savings of more than $600 million over 20 years for consumers.
I encourage you and your colleagues to act proactively and start the process now to
enable fluoridation of your water supply. Please note the local authority can commence
this at any time, and this does not require a direction from the Director-General of
Health. I have attached a letter addressed to your Chief Executive that also encourages
this and seeks information to assist with planning for fluoridation.
Document Set ID: 8690871
Version: 1, Version Date: 22/12/2021
The Ministry of Health can provide general advice and support on the evidence for
fluoridation, and the steps needed to commence this process. I hope you will support
your communities with this important initiative.
Nāku noa, nā
Dr Ashley Bloomfield
Te Tumu Whakarae mō te Hauora
Director-General of Health
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