Darlington Borough Council is being urged to carry out a public consultation on the merits of water fluoridation to control dental disease in children.

Schools are already being encouraged to provide water coolers in classrooms because it is thought to improve concentration and a retentive memory.

Fluoridation is recognised as the most effective wholesale preventative measure and the last local public consultation on the issue was in 1992.

A final report on youngsters' oral health has been compiled by a team jointly set up by the council's social affairs and health and the lifelong learning scrutiny committees.

"The merits of further consultation should be considered in arriving at a council policy on fluoridation," says the group, which expects positive results would appear after three to five years.

It is also in discussions with the Children's Fund about its involvement in a proposed pilot milk bar scheme at a local primary school.

The team has carried out a borough wide survey of schools to identify those providing drinking fountains, tuck shops and vending machines.

Although the findings were generally positive, the content of many children's packed lunches did cause concern.

The report says the high numbers of under-fives with dental disease means Darlington will not be able to meet this year's Government target for reducing cavities in five-year-olds.

This is despite Sure Start providing a toothbrush, fluoride toothpaste and an information leaflet to be given out by health visitors for children aged between eight months and four.

In addition, all children in the borough are given a dental pack at between six and nine months and parents are reminded of the need for dental registration at 18-24 months and again at three.

Health visitors are also attached to nurseries in the town and it is proposed to use that link to promote good dental health.

The group says: "There appears to be a strong link between tooth decay and deprivation and it is acknowledged that good oral health not only depends on brushing teeth with fluoride toothpaste but also from eating a healthy and balanced diet."

It recommends the council considers developing a policy on fluoridation, an awareness campaign in schools on the benefits of drinking water and support for the pilot milk bar scheme.

The scrutiny committee meets on Monday at 4pm in the town hall