Further to calls to add fluoride to the Southampton area's water supply, has anyone noticed that every area that the authorities want to fluoridate is alleged to have the worst teeth?

Let's see, over the past couple of years that would be Southampton, Scotland, Sheffield, Doncaster, Portsmouth, Manchester, London, Calderdale in Yorkshire etc.

Either the bottom places in the Dental Health League Table are a major tie, or the authorities are being economical with the truth!

If the government was really concerned about teeth they would ensure there are enough NHS dentists. There is also a great shortage of NHS periodontists (gum specialists).

More teeth are lost because of gum disease than from tooth decay, yet some areas don't even have one NHS gum specialist.

In some areas there is over a year's wait to get periodontic treatment - by which time teeth can be lost.

Gum disease can't be stopped by fluoridation because the answer is proper tooth hygiene, which people often need to be carefully instructed on.

A WILLIS, Ruislip, Middlesex