Tap water and infant formula

IN response to the report on the use of tap water in reconstituting infant formula (October 5), I’d like to clarify a few facts.

The impact of water fluoridation and use of fluoride toothpastes worldwide has seen a reduction in the need for treatment of dental decay, a decrease in extractions and a resulting improvement in quality of life. Research has demonstrated the benefits of water fluoridation in reducing decay.

Although the occurrence of enamel fluorosis (recorded and reported by our researchers) increased among Irish children between 1984-2002, the level of fluoride in the water stayed the same. Babies have been safely fed infant formula reconstituted with fluoridated water for the past 35 years.