WE are delighted David Crausby MP at last seems to have accepted that the people of Bolton are entitled to have their views taken into account in decisions over water fluoridation (Minister in fluoride vote pledge to MP, August 26).

This is what we have been arguing for all along!

At present, the law requires health authorities to undertake widespread local public consultation on any proposal to fluoridate water supplies, and to take any decisions on fluoridation in public meetings.

However, a loophole in the law allows the private water companies to veto health authorities' water fluoridation proposals -- irrespective of the outcome of any public consultation!

All involved -- including the general public, the health authorities, the Government and the water industry -- agree that this is wrong.

The Alliance for Equity in Dental Health, together with an all-party group of MPs, is pressing ministers to address this loophole in the law as a matter of urgency.

Perhaps David Crausby will now join our campaign?

As you rightly say in your editorial of Monday, August 28, child health is of paramount importance and prevention is better than cure.

Tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease. It is the cause of untold pain and misery for thousands of youngsters and the reason for thousands of days lost from school.

The disease is not confined to children of course, it affects adults too.

Water fluoridation is the single most effective measure available to health authorities to protect the whole population against tooth decay.

Communities are entitled to choose -- however, what we need now is legislation which obliges the water company to act in accordance with communities wishes.

Sheila Jones MPH

Co-ordinator

National Alliance for Equity in Dental Health

University of Liverpool School of Dentistry