Madam, - I refer to Dick Ahlstrom's article defending fluoridation (March 15th).
There is no doubt many people suffering from (eg) depression or constipation whose lives would be enhanced by the addition of anti-depressants or laxatives to the public water supply. One reason that kind of thing isn't done is - presumably - that the public would not stand for such a gross infringement on their freedom.
Compulsory medication of the population by the State is wrong in principle. That goes for fluoridation as well as anything else (even if fluoridation could be shown to be wholly safe and beneficial, which I doubt). - Yours, etc,
PAUL O'BRIEN,
Bertram Court,
Dublin 8.
Madam, - I note that the topic of adding fluoride to water has been raised again. Putting aside any merits of the arguments against fluoridation, the sure and certain result of stopping it is that poorer children will end up with more fillings, fewer teeth and worse dental health than their wealthier neighbours. We have, I think, quite enough differences between the health of the rich and the poor already. - Yours, etc,
Dr ANTHONY STAINES,
School of Public Health and Population Sciences,
UCD,
Belfield,
Dublin 4.