There have been many calls in the past for public water supplies to be infused with fluoride, the main reason for this being the downward spiral in the state of dental health, particulary among children.

However, there are equally pressing concerns among those opposed to fluoridation who have serious misgivings about the idea of a programme of what is essentially medicating the water supply of the whole populace, regardless of whether they need it or want it.

That is a debate that will no doubt continue to rage, especially as there are fresh calls for fluoridation. What is certain, though, is that action of some kind must be taken to tackle the falling standards of dental health in children.

Dentists tell horror stories about seeing three under-fives a week who need urgent dental treatment. Some children are having to have teeth extracted, which is a shocking situation to be in.

The answer to improving children’s teeth must lie with parents and guardians who are ultimately responsible for what food and drink young children are allowed to have. Sweets, chocolate and sugary drinks and a lack of supervised and thorough brushing at least twice a day are the main villains of the piece here.

It might be a quick fix to quiet down noisy children with a sugary treat, but giving in to pester power at that age is simply storing up trouble for the future... and not too far into the future, given the reports from local dentists.

There is still a strong argument against the mass fluoridation of water supply, and surely this is more a matter for better education, both for children, and for the parents and carers. The fight against falling dental standards must begin in the home – and children are never too young to begin good habits.