Code of Practice on the Fluoridation of Drinking Water 2007

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Circular 6/2007: Code of Practice on Fluoridation of Drinking Water 2007

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To All County and City Managers, Director of Services (Water).

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am directed by the Minister for Health and Children to state that a Code of Practice has been produced in pursuance of Fluoridation of Water Supplies Regulations 2007 (Statutory Instrument No. 42 of 2007) made under the Health (Fluoridation of Water Supplies) Act, 1960.

The purpose of the Code is to ensure the proper implementation, by all personnel involved, of the procedures for the fluoridation of the public water supplies to the prescribed standards and to minimize the risk of injury or damage to plant, personnel and environment. The Code does not modify or set aside in any way, the obligations/requirements of the operator of the water treatment plant under other legislation, such as Health & Safety. The Code applies to all water treatment plants where the fluoridation of water supplies is, or will be, carried out.

Fluoridation of the public water supplies is a public health measure in the field of preventive dentistry. The Forum on Fluoridation was established by the Minister to review the fluoridation of public piped water supplies in Ireland. The main conclusion of the Forum Report (Forum on Fluoridation Ireland 2002) was that the fluoridation of public piped water supplies should continue as a public health measure.

On foot of a recommendation from the Forum on Fluoridation for the establishment of an Expert Body, the Irish Expert Body on Fluorides and Health (known as the Expert Body) was established in 2004. The Expert Body has broad representation, including from the areas of dentistry, public health medicine, engineering, management, environment and the public. It also has consumer input in terms of members of the public and representatives of consumer interests, in addition to the necessary scientific, managerial and public health inputs. Its terms of reference include overseeing the implementation of the recommendations of the Forum on Fluoridation and advising the Minister on all aspects of fluoride and its delivery methods.

The development of a code of practice was part of the Forum’s recommendations. The Code of Practice has been prepared by, and approved by, the Expert Body. It is the first time that a national code of practice for the fluoridation of public water supplies has been formulated. Therefore, as part of a formal consultation process, the Expert Body sought comments from a broad spectrum of stakeholders, and the results informed the development of the code of practice.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has responsibility for coordinating all matters relating to the implementation of the fluoridation of water supplies within the State, with the Environmental Health Section of the Population Health Directorate taking the lead role in this regard. Any queries in relation to the Code of Practice should be addressed to the HSE. The HSE is establishing a National Steering Group to support and advise the work of local committees in relation to the fluoridation of the water supplies.

This Circular supersedes this Department’s Circular No. 14/1977 of 1st July 1977.