Councillor says time to leave fluoride debate behind - ABC Online

Posted February 20, 2013 14:20:05

A Toowoomba councillor says it is time to move on from the fluoride argument on the Darling Downs.

Council has formally voted to continue fluoridating Toowoomba's water supply.

Nancy Sommerfield voted against the practice but says she has accepted council's decision.

"Quite frankly we all look forward to moving forward because we all get on really well here and there's been tension which we don't really want to have," she said.

"I put a lot of work into it. I gave it my best shot.

"Obviously I'm disappointed that we didn't get it across the line and so now I move forward."

She says she welcomed council's decision not to fluoridate the supply of outlying towns.

"It's for the same reason that I fought against it in Toowoomba city and that is a matter of choice," she said.

"People should have the choice as to whether they put fluoride in their body or not.

"The AMA [Australian Medical Association] and the dental association all talk about how good it is for your teeth but they don't really talk past that.

"They don't talk about how good it is for the rest of your body. I don't think that argument has been put forward very well."

Topics: water-supply, local-government, dental, water, toowoomba-4350