Revealed: How health chiefs plan to put fluoride in half our water supply to halt tooth decay

By Daniel Martin
Last updated at 3:24 AM on 04th August 2008

Nearly half our drinking water could have fluoride added to it under a 'secret' Government plan.

Dental health chiefs want to add the chemical to 40 per cent of England's water supply to combat high levels of tooth decay.

But critics said the 'mass medication' of water without the population's consent was an invasion of their human rights.

Concerns: Fluoride has been linked to a range of diseases

They also accused dentists of being in denial about the dangers of fluoride, which has been linked to diseases including brittle bones and cancer.

Although plans to add the chemical to more of the nation's water supply were first announced by Health Secretary Alan Johnson in February, the scale of the Government's intentions has remained under wraps until now. 

But he dismissed the ' scaremongering that says it causes cancer'.