The Northland fluoridation advocacy programme: an evaluation.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Policy
• Community Engagement

Background:

• The Far North District Council's 2006 resolution to fluoridate Kaitaia and Kaikohe marked the first Territorial Local Authority (TLA) initiative in New Zealand in 23 years.
• This decision stemmed from a dedicated fluoridation advocacy program.
• The initiative aimed to reintroduce community water fluoridation after a significant hiatus.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the implementation of the fluoridation advocacy program.
• To assess the program's alignment with the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi.
• To critically examine the collaboration between the fluoride advocate and key stakeholders.

Main Methods:

• Process evaluation of the fluoridation advocacy program.
• Categorization of program implementation into policy advocacy, community action projects, and media advocacy.
• Assessment of collaboration with iwi, Maori health providers, and the community.

Main Results:

• The program's implementation was categorized into policy advocacy, community action projects, and media advocacy.
• Collaboration with iwi, Maori health providers, and the community indicated consistency with Treaty of Waitangi principles (partnership, participation, protection).
• Media advocacy effectively engaged community views and influenced council decision-making.

Conclusions:

• A simultaneous, combined 'top-down and bottom-up' approach proved effective for fluoridation advocacy.
• Integrated strategies are more successful than isolated 'top-down' or 'bottom-up' approaches.
• The program demonstrated successful community water fluoridation advocacy aligned with the Treaty of Waitangi.