IT appears that Sheila Jones (August 16) does not believe that, at 44, I have all my teeth and no fillings.

My name and address appear after this letter and, if Ms Jones would like to call, I will be happy to show my teeth to her, my daughter likewise.

I can't believe I am such a rarity -- aren't there other people in Bolton aged over 40 with a full set of unfilled gnashers?

Ms Jones states the appalling statistics of children's tooth decay. I certainly never meant to trivialise this, just to point out that there is a way of preventing much of it other than mass-medication with fluoride.

Nature gives us a set of teeth with the capacity to last for most of our lives -- with care and if we don't abuse them with things nature never intended.

If so many children under five have rotten teeth, the problem has to be due to lifestyle in most cases. I can't see how anyone can argue with this?

As for saying that people with good teeth are "lucky" -- it's a bit like comparing a non-smoker with a lifelong chain-smoker and saying that the non-smoker is "just lucky" to have cleaner lungs! If the main cause of tooth decay is not sugar and poor dental care, why do our dentists stress the bad effects of these things so much?

If it is "selfish" to object to mass-medication without consent, there are a lot of us selfish people about. Let's have a vote to find out people's views! No doubt carrot juice and beetroot juice would be beneficial to many people's health, but I don't see anyone proposing that we should all have them forced down our throats every day. and I'm sure these wouldn't have the bad side-effects of fluoride.

Lest we forget one simple thing here -- for those who want it for themselves or their children, fluoride toothpaste, mouthwashes and even tablets are easily available -- just like carrot juice.

As for Ms Jones' letter, such personal viciousness leads me to conclude that she must be missing a lot of her own teeth and is therefore clearly jealous of mine.

Mrs Alma Cooper

Neasden Grove

Deane