Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Super city candidate wants fluoridation poll

Updated at 9:56 am on 12 September 2010

A candidate for the Auckland mayoralty says there should be a binding referendum on whether to remove fluoride from the water supply.

Colin Craig says evidence is growing which suggests fluoride causes health damage, so he says Auckland should follow the European approach and remove it.

The Auckland District Health board, which supports fluoridation, says it has a important role in reducing tooth decay and the benefits far outweigh the risks.

It says without fluoridation, the average person would lose or have filled between two and twelve teeth.

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