A water fluoridation scheme in Hampshire will not go-ahead after councils opposed the initiative.
Public Health England (PHE) had proposed a fluoridation scheme that would have served 160,000 Southampton residents and 35,000 people in Hampshire. However, both Hampshire County Council and Southampton City Council refused to back the scheme, leading to PHE withdrawing from the plans.
PHE chief executive, Duncan Selbie, said: ‘Water fluoridation would make a big difference to the dental health of Southampton children, particularly those in the most socially deprived areas. We regret having to drop the scheme, but we believe it is the right decision in the circumstances.
‘We want to work with Southampton City Council to tackle Southampton’s high rates of tooth decay. We have offered support to the Council in coming up with plans to reduce tooth decay among local children.’