Here we go again - the we-love-fluoride brigade campaigning to force us all to take compulsory medication in the water supply because a few people can't be bothered to look after their teeth.

Poor dental health in children in this area is mostly because of bad parenting. Some seem content to let their children stuff themselves with large amounts of sweets and junk food. I see children going to school eating sweets and crisps instead of a proper breakfast.

My children have their intake of sweets strictly controlled and clean their teeth with fluoride-free toothpaste, and their teeth are perfect.

My ex-dentist seemed to have an obsession with fluoride. Maybe he had shares in the company which supplies it.

Look on the bright side all you dentists - if people don't care about their teeth, it's a nice little earner for you.

Finally, the privatised water companies aren't very popular as it is, and if the one supplying this area is pressured into polluting the water supply with this chemical, their popularity rating could go even lower. I would seriously consider not paying them.

So, all you fluoride fans - I wish you would drink a pint of it a day, preferably undiluted. That would quieten you down. Just don't force me to drink it.

Brian Parker

Helmsdale Road

Nelson

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.