Letter: Fluoride `choice'

Sir: Pamela Taylor (letter, 12 January) argues that the water industry's proposals offer choice over whether to fluoridate supplies. I would be interested to hear what choice I have as a consumer if I wish to avoid imbibing excess fluoride in my democratically fluoridated water. Pay my water rates and buy bottled water, presumably.

The one method of preventing dental caries that has no malign side-effects, is more effective than any other method, and actually saves money, is reducing intake of refined sugar in all its forms. Of course, there's no profit in it. Or am I being cynical?

CHARLES HARRIS

London NW3