Chris Brookes is a leading NHS dentist and member of the Bolton Dental Society. He wants to see fluoride added to Bolton's water supply.

"WE all know that prevention is better than cure. Because of the powerful benefits of fluoride, water fluoridation programmes have been established in many countries since the 1930s, when its ability to prevent decay was first recognised.

Water fluoridation in low fluoride-containing water supplies helps to maintain the optimal dental tissue development and dental enamel resistance against caries attack during someone's entire life span.

Fluoride in drinking water works mainly through its retention in dental plaque and saliva.

Frequent consumption of drinking water and products made with fluoridated water maintain intra-oral fluoride levels.

People of all ages, including the elderly, benefit from fluoridated water.

For example, the prevalence of caries on root surfaces of teeth is inversely related to fluoride levels in the drinking water. In other words, within the non-toxic range for fluoride the higher the level of fluoride, the lower the level of dental decay. This finding is important because with increasing tooth retention and an ageing population, the prevalence of dental root caries is expected to be higher in the absence of fluoridation.

Fluoridation of water supplies, where possible, is the most effective public health measure for the prevention of dental decay. Water fluoridation is a multi professional activity in which chemists, physicians, nutritionists and dentists all play important roles.

Water fluoridation means less tooth decay, less pain, fewer fillings and fewer emergency visits to the dentist, and not just for children.

Tooth decay can be very painful and can make teeth unsightly. It is a preventable disease and is the main cause of tooth loss in all age groups.

Prevention means a better quality of life for everyone and less money is spent on dental care.

The World Health Organisation, the Royal College of Physicians and the Department of Health have endorsed water fluoridation as safe."