HEALTH bosses have called for fluoride to be added to East Lancashire's water supply after the area topped a list of shame in child tooth decay.

A new study by the British Dental Association revealed Darwen and Rossendale was the joint worst constituency in the country with an average of three decayed, missing or filled teeth (DMFT) in five-year-olds - and the rest of East Lancashire figured in the top 30 in the BDA league table.

All other constituencies came in the red danger category as on average children in Blackburn, Burnley, Pendle, Hyndburn and even the more affluent Ribble Valley had 2.54 DMFT at the age of five.

The BDA published the list ahead of a crucial debate on the Water Bill in the House of Commons on Monday.

East Lancashire public dental health consultant Dr Gary Whittle said problems with social deprivation and poor diet were to blame. He said while other schemes to educate parents and children did have some effect, fluoridation was the best way of easing East Lancashire's dental health crisis.

He said: "I think it's the most effective way to make significant improvements. Children in fluoridated areas which have similar levels of deprivation have far fewer problems with decay.

"Over time, would see less decay not only in children but in adults too, and dentists would have time to see more patients.

"It would mean fewer very young children needing general anaesthetics which can put them off dental treatment for life."

He said young children in East Lancashire have around two or three times as many decayed, missing or filled teeth as a child of the same age in the Birmingham area, where water supplies have been fluoridated for the past 40 years. He added: "Social deprivation in Darwen is high, but we don't know why it has a poorer dental health record than other equally deprived areas. We will be looking into this"

Hyndburn and Ribble Valley PCT and Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale PCT have written to Strategig Health Authority (SHA) bosses supporting the measure. Blackburn with Darwen PCT, however, said the decision was not theirs to make.

The Commons debate centres on an amendment which would allow SHAs, such as Cumbria and Lancashire, to make water suppliers add fluoride

As the law stands, local authorities can ask their water company to add fluoride but the companies cannot be compelled to do so.

The amendment was approved by the House of Lords in July by almost five votes to one and supporters of targeted fluoridation hope MPs will follow suit.

Anti-fluoridation campaigners are horrified at any move to give power to SHAs.

Linda Forrest, of Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Fight Against Fluoridation, said the amendment was 'very offensive and illegal' and urged MPs to vote against it.

She said: "Mass treatment of populations with fluoridation violates several EU directives, conventions and the UK Poisons Act 1972."

Anti-fluoride campaigners say there is no conclusive evidence that fluoridation is safe or prevents decay. They say it leads to widespread fluorosis -- staining of the teeth -- is forced mass medication, immoral and in breach of human rights.

East Lancashire MPs -- Jack Straw (Blackburn), Greg Pope (Hyndburn) and Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley) are staunchly anti-fluoridation and patrons of the Fight against Fluoridation action group. Janet Anderson (Darwen and Rossendale), Peter Pike (Burnley) and Gordon Prentice (Pendle) are in favour.

Mr Pope said: "I'm well aware of all the arguments but I'm opposed to compulsory mass medication. The answer is a public health education campaign to persuade people to visit their dentist regularly, clean their teeth and eat a proper diet."

Mrs Anderson said: "We should have fluoridated our water 40 years ago. I don't believe it's mass medication, it's the health of our children that counts."

Mr Pike said: "I've supported fluoridation for 40 years. We have a poor oral health record and we need to take action."

Poor diet and low incomes are behind East Lancashire's poor dental record. Studies have shown people in Lancashire buy around 50 per cent less toothpaste than those in London.