Item 2.1

Minutes of proceedings of the Plenary Meeting of the Irish Expert Body on Fluorides and Health held in the Oral Health Services Research Centre, University College Cork 
on Wednesday, 28th September 2005

Present:	Dr Seamus O’Hickey (Chairman), Dr Wayne Anderson, Councillor Jack Bourke, Professor John Clarkson, Mr Stephen McDermott, Mr David Moloney, Dr Joe Mullen Ms Ursula O’Dwyer, Dr Brian O’Herlihy, Professor Denis O’Mullane, Mr Ray Parle 

In attendance: 	Ms Deirdre Sadlier, Ms Patricia Gilsenan, Mr Tom Rogers, Ms Etain Kett, Secretariat

Apologies:	Dr Paul Beirne, Dr Gerard Gavin, Mr Denis Lyons, Mr Darragh Page, Ms Martina Queally, Mr Matt Twomey, Mr Luke Varley

EB Minute 39/05:  Apologies

Apologies for the meeting were noted.

EB Minute 40/05:  Minutes of the last meeting (22nd June 2005)

These minutes were agreed and then signed by the Chairman, subject to the amendment of the omission of Mr David Moloney’s name from the list of members present at the meeting.

EB Minute 41/05:  Matters Arising

The document ‘Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the addition of vitamins and minerals and of certain other substances to foods – outcome of proceedings’ was tabled to inform the Expert Body members.

EB Minute 42/05:  Correspondence

Ref:	-	Representations received from the Irish Doctors’ Environmental Association requesting copies of minutes of the meetings of the Expert Body as they are released dated from February 2005 was noted (IDEA letter to Secretariat 20th July 2005 refers).  Additionally, the IDEA has requested to be kept informed as to when the level of fluoride in public water supplies will be reduced as recommended by the Forum on Fluoridation.  This request has been acknowledged by the Secretariat and the minutes have been forwarded to the IDEA as requested.  (Secretariat letters to IDEA 22nd July 2005 and 23rd September 2005 refers). 

Ref:	-	A letter was received from the DOH&C informing the Secretariat of the support of the Táiniste and Minister for Health and Children, Ms. Harney, T.D., by way of a Foreword, for the Expert Body’s Action Plan.  (DOH&C letter to Secretariat 7th September 2005 refers).

Ref:	-	Letter received from the DOH&C informing the Expert Body that the DOH&C will provide funding for the national audit of water fluoridation treatment plants. (DOH&C letter to Secretariat 26th September 2005 refers)

Ref:	-	The Body extended its congratulations to Professor Clarkson on his invitation by the Centers for Disease Control, USA to participate in an expert panel to consider the methodology used to determine optimal fluoride concentrations for drinking water in the United States. (CDC email to Professor Clarkson cc to Secretariat, 16th September 2005 refers)

EB Minute 43/05:  The Irish Expert Body on Fluorides and Health Action Plan 2005

The members expressed their appreciation to the Minister for contributing a Foreword to the Expert Body Action Plan.  

It was agreed that a Progress Report will be developed to provide an update on the Body’s activities.  It was agreed that this matter would be further discussed by the Executive Committee.

The Secretariat advised the meeting that the Action Plan will now be distributed to all relevant stakeholders and other agencies.  It is also available on the IEBFH website.

EB Minute 44/05:  Report of the Sub-Committees
The Chair of each Sub-committee reported to the Plenary meeting on work in progress on priority issues relative to their remit.  The presentation of each report was followed by a discussion.The Quality Assurance Sub-committee reported that work is continuing on:

•	Completion of the national census on public water schemes and fluoridation status.
•	Regulations (technical, legal aspects)
•	National Code of Practice
•	Protocol for independent testing for HSFA

It was agreed that the Quality Assurance Sub-committee should seek outside expertise for developing the scope of the code of practice.  It was noted that the code of practice may serve as a tool for auditing purposes.

The Body was informed that the contract, awarded to Chemifloc Ltd, for the supply Hydrofluosilicic Acid is now fully in place.

A letter from Chemifloc Ltd to the HSE was tabled to inform the Body of concerns the Company has in relation to ‘safety matters’.  It was agreed that the Chairman of the Expert Body would write to Chemifloc and advising them to contact the relevant Local Authorities, forwarding a copy of said correspondence to the HSE, to ensure urgent action is taken.

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

•	Research and Report on ‘Oral Health in Ireland – A Review of Oral Health Promotion/Education Activity in the Republic of Ireland and A Study of Attitude, Knowledge and Behaviour Towards Special Needs Groups Regarding Oral Health – Final Draft’
•	Workshop to Finalise Communications Plan
•	HSE Mid-West Fluoride Rinsing Programme 
•	International Developments
o	WHO Bulletin: 2005 Special Theme: Oral Health (item 6.1)
•	This Report cites International Best Practice for Oral Health Improvement.  In particular the *ROI experience informed WHO Recommendations on promotion Oral Health in Schools 
	*Work of Dental Health Foundation, Health Boards and Department of Health and Children 
o	Liverpool Declaration “Promoting Oral Health in the 21st Century”
o	The Council of European Chief Dental Officers Declaration “Commitments to Child Oral Health”

The membership of this Sub-committee will be raised at the Executive Committee’s meeting with the DOH&C on 5th October next.

It was agreed that the Pan American Health Organisation’s report ‘Promoting Oral Health, The Use of Salt Fluoridation to Prevent Dental Caries’ will be circulated to the Plenary by the Secretariat.

The New and Emerging Issues Sub-committee’s report informed members of priority areas of attention as follows:

•	Data sets regarding Osteosarcoma rates both in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
•	Draft National Nutrition Policy Document
•	It was noted that the Forum recommendation on Paediatric toothpaste will be placed on the Expert Body website.

The meeting agreed in principle to the NEI Sub-committee’s evaluation of research priorities on fluoride and health.  This will be the subject of discussions with the DOH&C because of funding indications.

EB Minute 45/05:  Executive Committee Report

The Report of the Executive Committee, June 2005 was tabled and noted by the Plenary.

EB Minute 46/05:  American Dental Association’s Conference celebrating the 60th Anniversary of Community Water Fluoridation

The Expert Body members and the Secretariat member, who were in attendance at this event  provided oral presentations on the proceedings of this conference which was  held in Chicago in July last.

The updated publication of the American Dental Association’s “Fluoridation Facts” was noted.

EB Minute 47/05:  AOB

Correspondence from Dr Dympna Kavanagh, Principal Dental Surgeon, HSE – Mid-Western Area regarding on-line monitoring for fluoridated water treatment plants, information leaflets on oral health and plans for a fluoride mouth rinsing programme. (Dr D Kavanagh letters to Secretariat 11th August and 20th September 2005 refer).  It was agreed to invite Dr Kavanagh to make a formal presentation to the Expert Body with regard to the protocol on fluoride mouth rinsing.

EB Minute 48/05:  Date of next meeting

The next Plenary meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, 30th November 2005 commencing at 10:30am in the Davenport Hotel, Merrion Square, Dublin 2.

The Chairman thanked Professor O’Mullane and Dr Whelton, Director, Oral Health Services Research Centre, for their hospitality and thanked those present for their attendance.  The meeting was declared closed at 1:00pm.

Signed:	______________________________

Date: 		______________________________