To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Darzi of Denham on 11 February (WA 190), why Southampton Primary Care Trust's view that it had adequately explored alternatives to water fluoridation sufficed to preclude setting out alternatives in a public consultation in conformity with the Cabinet Office guidelines referred to. [HL2272]

Southampton Primary Care Trust gave fuller details of the alternative measures it had tried to improve oral health in its presentation to the Board of South Central Strategic Health Authority on 26 February. They included promotion of healthy eating in nursery and school settings; promotion of drinking water in schools; distribution of free fluoride toothpaste and toothbrushes to 0-5 year-olds in priority areas; working with general practitioners and pharmacists to encourage the prescription and dispensing of sugar-free medicines; initiatives such as "Chuck Sweets off the Checkout"; training and resources for local dental teams to ensure correct health messages are given; promotion of use of fluoride varnish applications and fissure sealants and working with local healthcare professionals to promote oral health.

None of these measures proved successful in reducing inequalities in oral health.