Minutes of proceedings of the Plenary Meeting of the Irish Expert Body on Fluorides and Health held in the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, No 6 Kildare Street, Dublin 2 on Wednesday, 14th June 2006

Present:	Dr Brian O’Herlihy (Vice-Chair), Dr Wayne Anderson, Councillor Jack Bourke, Professor John Clarkson, Dr Gerard Gavin, Mr Denis Lyons Mr Stephen McDermott, Ms Ursula O’Dwyer, Mr Ray Parle, Mr Rowland Reece 

In attendance: 	Ms Deirdre Sadlier, Ms Patricia Gilsenan-O’Neill, Mr Tom Rogers, 
Ms Etain Kett, Secretariat

Apologies:	Dr Seamus O’Hickey (Chairman), Mr Chris Fitzgerald, Mr Colm Keenan, Dr Joe Mullen, Professor Denis O’Mullane, Ms Martina Queally, 

EB Minute 21/06:  Apologies

Apologies for the meeting were noted.

EB Minute 22/06:  Minutes of the last meeting (26th April 2006)

These minutes were agreed. They were then signed by the Chairman (Acting).

EB Minute 23/06:  Matters Arising

It was noted that the first meeting of the group established to develop evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for the Public Dental Service is scheduled for 12th July next.  Professor O’Mullane, the Expert Body’s representative, will update the Body at the next Plenary meeting on 27th September 2006.

It was noted that responses to the documentation relating to the above from Dr Whelton et al, namely draft scopes for the topical fluoride and high caries risk guidelines, are being prepared by the Executive Committee, along with other Expert Body members and the Secretariat.

It was noted that the European Parliament rejected attempts to delete the references to fluoride from the Annex listing that could have been added during its second reading vote on 16th May 2006 on the draft regulation on the addition of vitamins and minerals and of certain other substances to foods.  Agreement on the proposed regulation had been reached in principle with the Council on 10th May 2006 so the proposal was entered into effect once it had been approved at a subsequent Council meeting.

It was agreed that the Secretariat will inform the Expert Body of any changes/updates in this regard.

EB Minute 24/06:  Correspondence

No correspondence was noted.

EB Minute 25/06:  Advice to Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children

The draft report to the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children relating to recent studies in the United States concerning water fluoridation and osteoscarcoma was approved by the Expert Body.  

EB Minute 26/06:  Fluoridation of Water Supplies Amendments to the Regulations 2006

It was noted that the DOH&C had informed the Secretariat that the delayed latest report on dental caries in school children must be presented to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children 21 days in advance of the presentation of the amended regulations.  Therefore, as the current Oireachtas sessions will finish on 6th July it is increasingly unlikely that the target of presenting the regulations during this session will be met in time.

EB Minute 27/06:  Report of Sub-committees

The Quality Assurance Sub-committee reported the following:

•	Comments received on the Draft Code of Practice upon consultation with the stakeholders, eg, the HSE and Local Authorities were tabled.  It was noted that the comments are specific to the remit of the agencies consulted.
•	The Draft Protocol for Independent Testing of HFSA, prepared by the Quality Assurance Sub-committee, has been sent out for consultation with the stakeholders and is currently under consideration by PCCC and Population Health Directorate of the HSE.
•	The meeting was informed of correspondence received from Mr Aidan Browne, National Director of Primary, Community and Continuing Care Services to the Secretariat re the Draft Protocol for Independent Testing of HSFA.
•	It was noted that Mr David Molloy, Principal Environmental Health Officer, HSE North Eastern Region, is due to attend the forthcoming Quality Assurance Sub-committee meeting on 14th July 2006.  It was noted that the issue of funding will be raised at this meeting.

The Communications/Public Health/Health Promotion Sub-committee reported the following:

•	It was agreed that the Secretariat will endeavour to establish levels of sodium content in bottled water available to consumers in the ROI.
•	The draft Communications Strategy was unanimously adopted by the Body.  It was noted that the Body needs to pay attention to the challenges as set out in the document and find appropriate ways to meet them.  It was further noted that wider appraisal/review of the Strategy may be sought from external individuals/groups with relevant expertise.  A meeting has now been set up with the Assistant Director, Health Promotion/ Population Health Directorate, HSE in this regard.
•	The Sub-committee formally proposed the following priority areas for action arising from the communications strategy
•	Professionals – to prioritise the initiation of a professional update programme in line with the Communications Strategy.
•	Mothers and Children – to prioritise the roll-out of evidence based programmes.  The Sub-committee proposed implementation plans for these programmes, in consultation with the HSE.
•	The Media – to prioritise the development and implementation of a proactive media relationship building programme.  It was agreed that media training will be given to Expert Body members who require it.
•	Evaluation of baseline research.  It was agreed that the Sub-committee and Secretariat will review current research and assess any benchmarking on public opinion and trends.  It was agreed if urgent approval is required to establish baseline research that the Executive Committee is authorised to approve it.

•	A media monitoring report was given by the Secretariat.  

The New and Emerging Issues Sub-committee reported the following:

•	The draft research proposal tabled at the Plenary meeting of 28th September 2005 was discussed in detail.  It was agreed that the official request for funding in relation to this study would be raised at the Executive Committee’s meeting with DOH&C Officials on 13th July next.
•	It was agreed to make the following modification to the Expert Body Business Plan (Recommendation 5.1.1 pg 38):
•	Review Conduct research into the fluoride content mineral composition of bottled waters available in Ireland and make appropriate recommendations for its safe use in the reconstitution of powdered infant formula and the provision of information to consumers.
•	It was agreed that the Secretariat will request a full list of bottled water vendors in Ireland.

EB Minute 28/06:  Executive Committee Report 

•	The Expert Body submissions to Science Foundation Ireland and the Health Information Quality Authority were noted.
•	Feedback on the Health Research Board’s conference, held on 13th and 14th June 2006, was given to the Body.  It was agreed that the Secretariat will arrange copies of the conference presentations for Expert Body members that require same.
•	Final comments were invited from members on the Expert Body Position Statements prior to the Secretariat posting them to the Expert Body website.
•	It was agreed that Dr Helen Whelton, Director, Oral Health Services Research Centre, Cork was best placed to represent the Expert Body at the forthcoming International Association for Dental Research meeting in Brisbane, Australia.  Dr Whelton will provide a full report of the event to the Body.
•	It was agreed that the Chairs of the Sub-committees will be circulated with the meeting minutes from each Sub-committee.
•	It was agreed that the format of Plenary meetings should form an agenda item for a future Plenary meeting.

EB Minute 29/06:  AOB 

A reminder was noted for the forthcoming Congress of the Pan European Federation of the International Association for Dental Research scheduled for 13th – 16th September 2006 in Trinity College, Dublin. It was also noted that the Symposium supported by the Expert Body will be held on Thursday, 14th September from 8:30am to 10:45am.  It was agreed that the programme would be circulated to all members by the Secretariat.  It was further agreed that all interested members should contact the Secretariat.

EB Minute 30/06:  Date of next meeting

The next plenary meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, 27th September 2006 commencing at 10:30am in the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, No 6 Kildare Street, Dublin 2.

The Vice-Chairman thanked all for their attendance and declared the meeting closed at 12:35pm.

Signed:	______________________________

Date: 		______________________________