Thames will hold a referendum on whether to continue water fluoridation on 5 November 2016
Here is what you need to know:
Fluoride is a common and naturally occurring mineral - it is found in air, soil, plants, water and lots of foods.
It protects teeth
It's safe
It's cost effective
It's for our children, families and whanau
Hamilton voted to HAVE fluoride re-introduced to their water supply in 2014.
Answering the myths
Does water fluoridation cause illnesses or disease like bone fractures and cancer?
No. More than 60 years of scientific evidence shows water fluoridation is safe.
Is fluoridated water toxic?
An adult would have to drink several thousand glasses of water at one sitting to get a lethal dose of fluoride.
That much water would kill you long before fluoride became a problem!
Is water fluoridation "mass medication"?
Fluoride is not a medicine or a drug. It occurs naturally in water supplies.
All we are doing is topping it up to optimal, safe levels where it provides more benefits for teeth protection.
Is the fluoride added to water an industrial waste product?
No. The fluoride compounds added to water are manufactured to exacting quality and purity standards.
Once added to water, the new fluoride is no different to the fluoride found naturally.
Waikato DHB’s position on water fluoridation
The Ministry of Health and the Waikato District Health Board strongly support water fluoridation as a safe, effective and affordable way to prevent and reduce tooth decay across the whole population. Most tooth decay is preventable, and water fluoridation is a simple way to help prevent it.