Abstract
Since its serendipitous discovery by McKay at the turn of the century, the story of fluoride in drinking water has arguably been a case of scientific progress for public good, on the one hand, and energetic resistance by minority pressure groups, on the other. In other words, what Lord Jauncey famously referred to as hostility to fluoridation obscuring scientific judgement.1 In the middle there is arguably a less engaged general population2 and decision makers seeking to act in their best interests but concerned at the extreme views held by a vocal minority.