Fluoride Plebiscite Sucess in Deniliquin, New South W ales, Australia

In New South Wales (NSW) approximately 90 per cent of the population have access to fluoridated water. However, in contrast to metropolitan Sydney where 100 per cent of the population have access to fluoridated water, only 59 per cent of the population living outside Sydney have access to fluoridated water. Under the Fluoridation of Public Water Supples Act 1957 the responsibility to implement fluoridation rest with local government authorities who manage water supplies. Widespread adoption in currently non-fluoridated communities is hindered due to organised community opposition to water fluoridation resulting in a high ‘no vote’ for fluoridation in plebiscites on the issue. Since 2002 NSW Health has been proactive in developing strategies to promote and extend water fluoridation in many rural communities. Objective: To describe the process that paved the way to implement water fluoridation in Deniliquin, a rural town in NSW. Methods: A plebiscite in conjunction with the local government election was held in March 27th, 2004 when the community in Deniliquin was asked to vote whether they wanted fluoride added to their water. As a prelude to the fluoride plebiscite various health promotion strategies were used by NSW Health to demonstrate to the community the oral health disparities that exist in Denilquin compared with rest of NSW and to promote the benefits of water fluoridation. Results: In response to the question’Do you support the addition of fluoride to Deniliquin town water supply?' There were 2533 ‘yes’ votes (55.8%), 1879 ‘no’ votes (41.3%) and 127 informal votes. Conclusion: Water fluoridation is to be implemented in Denilquin after a successful plebiscite where 56 per cent of the population voted to have fluoride added to their water supplies.