The Minister for Health and Children, Micheál Martin TD established the Irish Expert Body on Fluorides and Health in April 2004. It has broad representation from the areas of dentistry, public health medicine, toxicology, engineering, management, environment and the public, as identified within the Report of the Forum on Fluoridation. It has a strong consumer input in terms of members of the public and representatives of consumer interests, in addition to the necessary scientific, managerial and public health inputs.

Dr Seamus O’Hickey was appointed Chairman of the Expert Body by the Minister, his appointment was announced in the Dáil on the 7th April 2004.