WITH regard to the Great Fluoride Debate, I would simply like to say that I have lived in Bolton all my life, and, therefore, have never had the dubious 'benefit' of fluoride in my drinking water. Yet, at the age of 44, I have all my teeth and no fillings.

My daughter is 15 and (is it really so rare?) has all her teeth and no fillings. We simply limit the amount of sugary foods and drinks we consume and always brush our teeth after each meal.

From observation of many young children that I know, it seems clear to me that the poor state of their teeth is due to bad diet and little or no dental hygiene, rather than lack of fluoride.

This is simply parental negligence or ignorance.

It seems to me absurd and outrageous that the entire population of Bolton might be mass-medicated for the sake of some small children in whom the problem could easily be prevented by simple preventative care.

In any case, personally I would rather my children had bad teeth than risk all the far more serious problems that fluoride could cause them in later years.

Fluoride is a poison to the organs of the body -- I understand it can also be fatal to our aquarium fish.

Using it to supposedly prevent tooth problems is like curing a wart on the finger with a medicine which will later cause the whole limb to drop off. Is it worth it?

If Bolton is to have fluoride in the water against the wishes of the vast majority, where did democracy go? Will the people be allowed to vote on the issue themselves?

If we get fluoride, we will remember which government and which of our MPs supported it when next we go to the ballot boxes.

(name and address supplied)